The club's immediate priority is to provide assistance and support to those affected by the severe flash floods that have caused devastating consequences in the region. This natural disaster has resulted in the loss of over 150 lives, marking it as the worst of its kind in Spain this century.
Mestalla Stadium, where Valencia was set to host defending league champions Real Madrid on Saturday, has been repurposed to aid flood victims.
The match against Madrid was postponed on Thursday, along with the game between Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano. Additionally, three second-division matches scheduled in the Valencia region were also called off.
Valencia's Copa del Rey match against Parla Escuela has been rescheduled from Wednesday to November 6, with other Copa fixtures in the region also postponed.
“Valencia FC considers this the most appropriate action due to the severe impact of the recent weather events in the Valencia region, travel advisories, and communication disruptions with Madrid,” the club stated following the Copa match postponement.
Prior to practice on Wednesday, the team held a moment of silence at their training facility to honor the victims. Some players were unable to attend due to transportation issues caused by the storms.
The club has partnered with the Valencia Food Bank, transforming its stadium into a collection point for food and essential supplies.
“Mestalla will serve the city in response to the emergency caused by the floods.”
The death toll is anticipated to rise, as many individuals remain unaccounted for. Search operations are ongoing, and some vehicles containing bodies have yet to be accessed. The devastation from the floods, which occurred from late Tuesday to early Wednesday, resembles the destruction typically associated with hurricanes or tsunamis, with cars stacked alongside uprooted trees and downed power lines.
Valencia was gearing up for a challenging series of matches prior to the storms, starting with a home game against Madrid, followed by an away fixture against Espanyol, and then a match against Real Betis, who currently sit in sixth place.
At that time, Valencia found itself at the bottom of the table, having secured only one victory in 11 La Liga encounters, leading to heightened frustration among fans towards owner Peter Lim, whose reputation had plummeted.
Supporters have expressed their discontent with Lim for a considerable period, accusing him of prioritizing business interests over the club's performance and the well-being of its fans. This month, thousands gathered outside the Mestalla, brandishing signs that read “Lim Go Home.”
Tensions escalated last week following a home defeat to Las Palmas, a team that had not won in La Liga for 23 matches. Fans clashed with police and caused damage in the vicinity of the Mestalla.
Valencia's sole league victory came in September against Girona, and since then, under the management of Ruben Baraja, the team has recorded three draws and two losses.
The last time Valencia claimed the Liga title was in 2004, and they finished ninth in the previous season. Their most recent Copa del Rey triumph occurred in 2019.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid was also in a state of disarray. The squad, along with most other Spanish teams, observed a moment of silence before training. Carlo Ancelotti’s side was preparing to face Valencia, aiming to recover from a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the recent clasico.
Madrid's next fixture is scheduled for Tuesday at the Bernabeu, where they will take on AC Milan in the Champions League.
In La Liga, leaders Barcelona will host their city rivals Espanyol on Sunday. Hansi Flick’s team, which holds a six-point advantage over second-placed Madrid, has been in impressive form, scoring 21 goals and conceding just two in their last five matches across all competitions.
Espanyol, currently just above the relegation zone, is coming off two straight losses.