Floods in Spain: Football vs. Catastrophe

Villarreal forward Ayoze Perez expressed that players and coaches should not have needed to voice their concerns over LaLiga matches proceeding despite deadly floods in eastern Spain. The catastrophic floods claimed over 200 lives, leading to postponed matches in the affected Valencia region, but games elsewhere continued.

Villarreal's Ayoze Perez spoke out against the necessity for players and coaches to raise concerns over playing matches amid deadly floods in eastern Spain. The disaster resulted in over 200 deaths, prompting the Spanish FA to postpone fixtures in Valencia's region, although others continued.

Despite pleas from Barcelona's Hansi Flick and Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, LaLiga chief Javier Tebas defended the decision to play, citing the need to keep normalcy in unaffected areas. Tebas stated, "The best message is to be on the front line in our workplaces like all workers in other sectors."

Perez lamented the lack of immediate action from LaLiga, emphasizing solidarity with those affected. Villarreal postponed their encounter with Rayo Vallecano but resumed the following week. Perez described the minute's silence before their match as 'very emotional,' highlighting the turbulent conditions under which they played.

(With inputs from agencies.)