LaLiga requests postponement of Valencia vs Real Madrid game after floods

Laliga has requested the postponement of first and second division games in the Valencia region this weekend, the Spanish federation said on Wednesday, after floods in southeastern Spain killed at least 70 people.

A total of five games would be affected, including two in LaLiga – Valencia's home game against champions Real Madrid and Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano.

“In view of the devastating floods in Spain, which have particularly affected the Valencian Community, LALIGA, at the request of its clubs, has asked the RFEF to postpone the following matches scheduled for this weekend: Villarreal CF – Rayo Vallecano, Valencia CF – Real Madrid, CD “Castellón-RC Ferrol, CD Eldense-SD Huesca and Levante UD-Málaga CF,” LaLiga said in a statement.

LaLiga added that a minute's silence would be observed at all remaining games in honor of the victims of the floods.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and express our solidarity with those affected,” the statement said.

The requests to suspend the Games came after heavy rain from Storm Dana caused flash flooding in several regions in southern and eastern Spain, shutting down roads and railway lines.

Along with Albacete, the Valencia region is one of the worst affected regions. The government's Emergency Coordination Center confirmed on Wednesday that the latest known death toll was 70 and many people were still missing.

The Spanish government has also declared a three-day mourning period for victims of the floods, starting on Thursday and lasting until Saturday.

Valencia and Levante have both already received requests approved by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to cancel this week's Copa del Rey matches.

Valencia were due to travel to Madrid to face Parla Escuela on Wednesday, while Levante were due to fly to Galicia to face Pontevedra CF.

These two first round games will now take place next week, on November 6th and 7th respectively.

Three other games were also postponed due to the storm: Xerez's draw against AD Ceuta, SD Ejea against Hércules and Getafe's trip to Manises.

Madrid observed a minute's silence before training on Wednesday, as did many Spanish clubs, and released a statement expressing its condolences.

“Real Madrid, the club president and the board would like to express their condolences to the families and loved ones of the people who lost their lives as a result of the storm that hit many areas of our country, especially in the provinces of Valencia and Albacete,” it said in the statement.

“Real Madrid is deeply saddened and expresses its solidarity with all the people affected by this disaster, to whom it expresses its full support and condolences.”