Carlo Ancelotti has a clear opinion. © APA/afp / OSCAR DEL POZO

Real Madrid coach Ancelotti: “Football should have stopped”

Star coach Carlo Ancelotti of Champions League winner Real Madrid sees football in Spain in a bad light after the flood disaster in the Valencia region that left over 200 people dead.

05 November 2024

From: dpa

"Football is a celebration and you can only celebrate when you, your family and everyone else are doing well. If people are not doing well, you cannot celebrate," said Ancelotti before the Champions League clash against his former club Milan, criticising the decision of the Spanish association RFEF. The association had only postponed Real's matches in Valencia and Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano last weekend, but not six other matches in La Liga.

"Football must stop. Because it is the most important of the least important things in life. But we are not the decision makers. We must follow the instructions of those who are in charge," stressed Ancelotti. Real had announced a donation of millions to those affected by the floods. "There are many ways to help. Football had to stop and then help. Everyone was clear about that - nobody wanted to play," said Ancelotti.

Milan game is no longer a special game

Ancelotti now sees the match against Milan, whom he coached from 2001 to 2009, with different eyes. "It was supposed to be a special match for me, against Milan. But there's no point in talking about football now," said Ancelotti.

UEFA has announced that a minute's silence will be held at all Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches this week in memory of the victims of the floods.