0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, November 5, 2024
The first round Copa del Rey matches between Parla Escuela and Valencia and Manises and Getafe which were postponed last week due to the torrential floods that have claimed over 200 lives and caused widespread devastation in the Valencia region, have been put back for a second time after the clubs involved asked for a second delay.
The matches, which were due to be played this week, will now be played on November 26, just a week before the second round is due to be played.
A vehicle cleans up a flood-hit area in Valencia, Spain, Nov. 1, 2024. Spain remains deeply shaken by the deadly flash floods that have left 205 people confirmed dead and wrecked havoc across the regions of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia in the east and southeast parts of the country. As of Friday, many more are still unaccounted for. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)
Valencia published a communique explaining that "in this moment of great difficulty, all energies, attention and support must be focused on helping the people affected by the tragic event of the DANA (the Spanish name for the weather event). Football is in the background."
"We wish to convey our deepest condolences and our love to the families, friends of the deceased, and those affected by this catastrophe that is leaving us devastated. Since Tuesday, Valencia CF has been at the disposal of the authorities and the affected municipalities to help in any way possible," the statement concluded.
Manises, who play in the sixth level of the Spanish game, also asked for a delay, saying that "now is when we should be more united, and that is why we ask that all efforts be focused on the towns affected by La DANA, where many people from the club have been doing cleaning and volunteering this weekend."
"We understand that this is not the time to be celebrating football, despite everything we have been working on during these weeks, and that is why we want to reiterate that all the efforts that must be made for the dispute of this match should be dedicated to the people and towns that really need it. Our minds are elsewhere right now."
On Monday, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose side had been due to play Valencia on Saturday, admitted that he would have preferred it if his side's Champions League game at home to AC Milan on Tuesday night had also been postponed.
