All soccer matches scheduled to be played in the Valencian region this weekend have been postponed, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Thursday due to the deadly floods which have killed at least 95 people.
Saturday's clash between Real Madrid and Valencia as well as Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano are among the games postponed.
Real Madrid vs Valencia postponed due to flooding
The scale of the flooding currently unfolding in Valencia, Spain is unfathomable. This is footage from Chiva, where a jaw-dropping 343 mm of rain was recorded in just 4 hours earlier today, between 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
Video credit: Nalabcer pic.twitter.com/WdCgUifavQ— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) October 29, 2024
Valencia CF would like to send its sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who died as a result of the #DANA.
Much strength to all the neighbors and affected populations and to the groups that are working on the prevention and consequences of the effects of the… pic.twitter.com/d6gi5t2zUh— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) October 30, 2024
#ValenciaRealMadrid game postponed.#RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) October 31, 2024
"The RFEF have agreed this Thursday to postpone several matches due to be held this weekend in the Valencian Community, which has been severely affected by DANA that has caused fatalities and numerous material damages due to flooding," it said.
DANA is a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression, and unlike common storms or squalls it can form independently of polar or subtropical jet streams and become a destructive weather system.
Women's matches, youth games and futsal games were also postponed.
On Wednesday, the RFEF postponed six midweek Copa del Rey matches featuring LaLiga clubs like Valencia, Getafe and Real Sociedad after authorities advised against all non-essential travel in the region.
"Beyond the postponements, Spanish football wanted to show its solidarity with the people affected, especially with the families of those who have died in this natural disaster," the RFEF added.
"For this reason, all the matches played yesterday in competitions organized by the RFEF were preceded by respectful minutes of silence. This will be repeated over the weekend."
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
