“Shocked by the tragic train accident,” the RFEF stated in an official release, confirming that the postponement was a collective gesture of mourning. The federation added that the entire Spanish football community stands united in grief and has made itself available to assist authorities in supporting the victims of the devastating incident. A revised schedule for the affected matches will be provided later by the RFEF.
The suspension affects the first round of the Copa del Rey, including high-profile fixtures such as Navalcarnero against Real Betis, Salamanca against Celta Vigo, and Tavernes against Valencia. However, the RFEF clarified that first-round games scheduled for Thursday have not been postponed. Additionally, the Spanish league has not announced any changes to the weekend’s La Liga fixtures.
Several top-tier clubs have responded to the tragedy with immediate messages of support. FC Barcelona posted on social media that the club wishes to convey its support and solidarity to the families and friends of the victims, while wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. Real Madrid issued a separate statement expressing shared grief with everyone impacted during these “moments of profound sadness.”
In a further display of solidarity, Sevilla FC observed a moment of silence before their Wednesday training session. The club also cancelled the news conference scheduled for manager Luis Garcia Plaza ahead of their match against Sporting de Hortaleza. The cancellation of these media events underscores the pause in routine football operations as the nation focuses on the emergency response.
The train collision occurred when a moving high-speed service struck the back of a train that had already stopped on the track. The central region of Spain remains the focal point of the emergency response, with authorities continuing to assess the full extent of the casualties. Football authorities have prioritized humanitarian support over competitive scheduling, reflecting the national sentiment in the wake of the disaster.
As the RFEF works to determine new dates for the postponed Copa del Rey matches, the immediate focus for Spanish football remains on the victims and their families. No further competitive activity has been altered beyond the Wednesday Copa fixtures, with the league maintaining its standard calendar for other competitions. The federation will issue further updates regarding the tournament schedule in the coming days.
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