Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said that all football in Spain should have been put on hold after the devastating flash floods in Valencia.
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Ancelotti speaks on Valencia floods
Madrid’s LaLiga match at Valencia was postponed after flash floods in the Valencia region left at least 217 people dead. However, other top-flight matches in Spain proceeded as scheduled.
LaLiga has been working with the Red Cross to raise funds for those affected by the flooding, one of the most severe natural disasters in recent Spanish history.
Madrid will host AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“It’s been a week of tragedy, and we’re sad,” Ancelotti said in a news conference on Monday. “We’re very close to Valencia and all the affected towns. Hopefully it can be resolved soon. Talking about football is difficult, and so is playing football. We are part of this country, and it affects us a lot.”
“Your head isn’t in your work,” Ancelotti said, when asked if it had been difficult to prepare. “We are going to prepare for the game, because we’re professionals. That’s what we have to do.”
“Nobody wanted to play”
Several players and coaches suggested that no professional football should have been played in Spain over the weekend.
Even Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said the decision to proceed “made no sense.”
“Everyone has been clear,” Ancelotti said. “Nobody wanted to play. But we are not the ones in charge. Those at the top make the decision … Football is a party, and you can celebrate and have a party when you’re OK.
“When people are not OK, you don’t have to party. Football has to stop. Because it is the most important of the least important things.”
“The power we have is equal to zero,” Ancelotti added. “All the coaches wanted to stop the games. Some played, others did not. The decision-making power of the coach, in these cases, is equal to zero.”
