Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone expressed frustration over La Liga’s decision to proceed with matches this weekend despite the devastating floods that claimed over 200 lives in eastern Spain’s Valencia region.
While La Liga postponed Real Madrid’s game against Valencia and Villarreal’s clash with Rayo Vallecano, Simeone insisted all games should have been halted. “It’s clear that it makes no sense, what is happening is something that’s so hard,” Simeone said, adding that playing matches felt senseless, “It’s emotional to see all the people going out into the streets to help … with whatever they can…
“There are people who are having a terrible time, it’s very sad, and we are in a place where they tell us to continue and here we are, continuing.”
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick echoed Simeone’s sentiment, saying he would have supported a league-wide pause. “It’s not easy to make the decision (about) what to do, we started this (round) yesterday,” Flick told reporters ahead of Barcelona’s derby clash against Espanyol on Sunday.
“For me it’s a tragedy, we also had this in Germany three years ago, it’s also horrible to see this. If we can support the region we will do that of course, the other things the league has to decide.”
“If I could make the decision maybe I would do that, it’s a tragedy for this region and also for Spain, so maybe yes,” he added when asked if he would have postponed the whole round of La Liga games.