Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has said all football in Spain should have been put on hold after flash floods in Valencia left at least 217 people dead.
Madrid’s LaLiga game at Valencia — which was due to be played on Saturday — was postponed, along with Villarreal’s game with Rayo Vallecano, but the remaining eight top-flight matches in Spain went ahead.
LaLiga has been collaborating with the Red Cross to raise money for those affected by the flooding, after thousands of homes and businesses were damaged, and transport links disrupted, in one of the most severe natural disasters in recent Spanish history.
“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.”
Madrid, whose appearance saw them beaten 4-0 by Barcelona on Oct. 26, host AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“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.”
A number of players and coaches have suggested that no professional football should have taken place in Spain over the weekend, with Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone saying the decision to continue “makes 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.”
“The coach is absolutely right,” full-back Lucas Vázquez said. “Our opinion is zero, our strength is zero. We have to be professional, and do what we are told.”
Ancelotti denied that forward Vinícius Júnior has been affected by missing out on the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or, which was won by Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri last week, with Vinícius second.
“He’s doing fine,” Ancelotti said. “Fortunately we didn’t play on Saturday and Vinicius has trained well, like everyone else … Vinicius is sad, not because of the Ballon d’Or, but because he’s seeing the situation in Valencia.”
