Carlo Ancelotti believes that all football in Spain should have been halted after severe flash floods swept through parts of Valencia last week, Soccernet.football reports.
Real Madrid’s game in Valencia on Saturday was one of several LaLiga matches postponed, yet some games still proceeded. The likes of Diego Simeone and Hansi Flick were among the coaches who questioned this decision.
Ancelotti expressed his frustration, calling it absurd that competitions continued in other regions of the country. The Italian stated that there was little enthusiasm for football in Spain at this moment.
“Football is a party and you can only celebrate and party when you, your family and everybody is well. When people are not well, you don’t party,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Madrid’s Champions League clash with ACMilan as reported by BBC Sports.
“Football has to stop… For me it does. Because it is the most important of the least important things in life. But we are not the decision-makers. We have to follow the instructions of those who are in charge.
“There are many ways to help. Football had to stop and then help. Everyone has been clear about it, nobody wanted to play. It seemed like the right decision. I have no desire to talk about football today.”
Ancelotti stated that his side’s recent setbacks now felt insignificant in light of the sorrow brought by the recent tragedy. He is focused on keeping the players’ mindset positive for their upcoming clash against AC Milan on Tuesday.
“It was supposed to be a special game for me, facing Milan… But there is no meaning in talking about football now,” Ancelotti said.
“It has been a difficult week, not because of what happened with the Ballon d’Or or El Clasico… It happened and that’s that, congratulations to the winners. Our sadness is not about that, it is for what is happening here in Spain.”