Spanish football cries and shouts: “It makes no sense to play”

The first known public tear was that of Vicente Moreno. The coach of Osasunaborn 50 years ago in the Valencian town of Massanassacollapsed during the press conference prior to the League match that his team played – and won (1-0) – this Saturday against the Valladolid in Pamplona: «I wanted to send encouragement and solidarity to all the people who have been affected by this disaster, to all those who have lost their loved ones. It is very hard for them and for those of us who have family, friends, neighbors and children there. “It’s very hard not to be able to be there with them.” This suffering and the low spirits of Valencian coaches and footballers spread across professional clubs throughout Spain are the main arguments of those who advocate the postponement of all matches.

However, empathy does not appear on any identity document. It is universal heritage. It is written with the words of an Argentine, Diego Simeonewho directs Atlético: «There is no point in playing this day, everything that is happening is very hard and it is exciting to see how people are helping with a shovel or with whatever they have and the solidarity of everyone. He speaks very well about Spain, about the people. We want to help what we can. There are people having a very bad time, it is very sad, but they tell us to continue and here we are, continuing.

Solidarity does not have a single language. It is expressed, for example, in the English (translated into Spanish) of a German citizen, Hansi Flicktechnician Barcelona: “If I could make the decision, perhaps I would suspend the entire day because it has been a tragedy for Valencia and for Spain.”

The Barcelona club plays today the Barcelona derby against the Spanish. His counterpart on the blue and white bench, Manolo Gonzalez, also spoke clearly: “The situation is very serious and human lives are always above football.”

The demonstrations against wearing short clothes and jumping onto the grass multiplied. “The day should have been suspended, it makes no sense,” he said. José Bordaláscoach of Getafe. «Whoever sets the schedules and the games should make them watch it. “I think they look more at the money than at us,” he declared. Maffeodefense of Mallorca. Your teammate, Latowas shorter, but just as forceful: “It should never have been played.”

The same opinion was expressed Luis Garcia Plazacoach of Alavés: «There is no where to take it. Please, let’s all turn to help, let the politicians help and then let everyone lend a hand. All my love, that of the coaching staff, the players and the club.

The wave of protests reached the shores of LaLiga. Your president, Javier Tebasis not one of those who shy away from the exchange of opinions, so at noon yesterday he insisted on justifying the decision to maintain the planned schedule of matches, with the exception of those that should be played in stadiums located in the Valencian Community.

Tebas responded to the complaints with a message published on his ‘X’ social network account (formerly Twitter): “We believe that in the terrible situation that Spain is experiencing, the best message is not to stop, except in the affected areas. The best message is to be on the front line in our jobs like all workers in the rest of the sectors, giving visibility, generating resources and explaining to the world that we have to be all hands on deck to get ahead.

Solidarity help

Beyond opinions, Spanish football started from the first minute to help as much as possible the thousands of citizens who have seen their lives devastated by DANA. Thus, the real Madrid and the Villarreal announced the donation of one million and half a million euros respectively; the stadiums of many clubs —Atlético, Real Sociedad, Mallorca, Betis, Sevilla…— have become centers for receiving food and all types of necessary materials in the affected municipalities; Other teams have chosen to hand over the entire proceeds from the next game they play at home —Girona, Getafe, Las Palmas, Tenerife…—; or for holding an auction of the shirts used by the footballers during those matches —Huesca, Zaragoza, Real Oviedo, Burgos…—.

So much pain and solidarity with Valencia are forever reflected in the faces of the protagonists and the fans present in the stands of the stadiums during the meaning minute of silence which is saved before the start of each match.