Spanish FA suspends all Copa del Rey matches after deadly Toledo train crash
All 24 Copa del Rey fixtures scheduled for Wednesday were called off as a mark of respect after a train collision near Madrid killed more than 30 people, with Real Madrid and Barcelona among the clubs expressing condolences.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has suspended all 24 Copa del Rey matches due to be played on Wednesday as a mark of respect following a train collision near Madrid in which more than 30 people were killed. More than 500 passengers were on board the trains when they collided and derailed in Toledo, according to the article. The RFEF said the decision was taken in solidarity with the victims.
Five top-flight clubs were affected by the postponement: Levante, Alaves, Valencia, Celta Vigo and Real Betis had all been due to play first-round ties on Wednesday. Spain's biggest sides, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, were not scheduled to enter the competition until the last-32 stage, so their fixtures were not among those called off.
Clubs responded with messages of sympathy. Barcelona said on social media that it offered its deepest condolences to the victims of the accident between Los Yebenes and Urda in Toledo, expressing support for the families and friends of those affected and wishing the injured a swift recovery. Real Madrid, writing on its website, said it felt deep sorrow over the tragedy, extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died and offered solidarity to the injured and everyone affected.
Real Madrid also voiced full backing for the emergency services and all those involved in the rescue effort, saying the club shared in the grief of everyone impacted at what it described as a time of profound sadness.
Thursday's matches are unaffected, but the RFEF has not yet released a revised schedule for the games postponed on Wednesday. No new dates for the suspended fixtures have been announced.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
