Javier Tebas responds to criticism for the non-suspension of matchday 12 of LaLiga

LaLiga received harsh criticism for the decision not to postpone, in its entirety, the weekend matchday in the Spanish First and Second Division after the devastating effects of DANA in the Valencian Community.

The competition only postponed the five matches that were to be played in the areas affected by the natural disaster that left more than a hundred fatalities and thousands of victims (Villarreal-Rayo; Valencia-Real Madrid; Castellón-Ferrol; Eldense-Huesca and Levante -Malaga).

"We believe that in the terrible situation that we are experiencing in Spain, the best message is not to stop, except in the affected areas," the president of the employers' association began by saying in a message shared through his 'X' account.

In that sense, he added: "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".

We think that in the terrible situation that are living Spain, the best message is not to stop, except the zones affected. The best message is to be in first line in our places of work like all the workers of the rest of sectors, giving visibility, generating… pic.twitter.com/dpsmzjrfae

— Javier Thebes Medrano (@Tebasjavier) November 2, 2024

Hansi Flick and other coaches believe that matchday 12 should have been postponed

On the contrary, several coaches and footballers who live in LaLiga consider that, in the face of a tragedy of such magnitude, all matches in the First and Second Division should have been postponed, beyond the inconveniences that this would generate in such a tight schedule.

In the press conference prior to Barça-Espanyol, Hansi Flick expressed his solidarity with the victims, while setting out his position on the possible suspension of the entire day. "If it were up to me, perhaps I would do it (postpone the day), because it really is a tragedy for the Valencian Community and all of Spain," commented the one from Heidelberg.

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Hansi Flick gives a strong message about the DANA: "I would have suspended the whole matchday"

In turn, Diego Simeone expressed that "it makes no sense to play" in the current conditions, in addition to valuing the attitude of the population willing to collaborate in whatever way they can. "There are many people who are having a very bad time, it is very sad for everyone, but we are in the place where they tell us to continue and here we are, continuing," argued the Argentine coach.

Similarly, Manolo González, Espanyol coach, expressed his regret for what happened in the run-up to the derby against Barça. “The situation is very serious and human lives come before football. I don't want to say more and have them think I'm using it as an excuse. But lives are always above football,” said the 'parakeets' coach.