Levante v Athletic postponed after torrential storm floods pitch in Valencia | OneFootball

Levante v Athletic was postponed minutes before kick-off after a torrential storm flooded the Ciutat de Valencia pitch, with the videoboards confirming the call at 21.22. According to El Correo, a new date has not yet been set.

The downpour began at 20.30, and by the 21.00 warm-up the ball would not roll. Referee Quintero González consulted both clubs, then abandoned the match ahead of the scheduled 21.30 start.

Power failed in sections of the stadium, including the press area and some vomitories, leaving hundreds of supporters sheltering and using phone torches. The players’ tunnel was also submerged.

Athletic’s director of football Mikel González called the decision straightforward and said the game would be rearranged after the imminent international break, with Unai Simón, Nico Williams and Aymeric Laporte away. He added the clubs are liaising with LaLiga and, if no agreement is reached, the federation will set the date.

He noted neither side are in Europe, so a continental midweek could be used. The first falls on 15 October.

Iñaki Williams said the team tried to play but the referee deemed it impossible. Levante assistant Vicente Iborra also underlined the risk from lightning as well as wind and rain.

Valencia was under an orange alert for rain and storms, with the heaviest period forecast between 16.00 and midnight. At 22.08, Civil Protection issued a flooding alert and security cleared those waiting outside.

Source: El Correo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”