All Spanish cup matches suspended after Madrid train collision

What the report says

All 24 Spanish Copa del Rey matches scheduled for Wednesday have been suspended after a deadly train crash near Madrid, according to BBC Sport Football. The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said the postponement was a mark of respect and an act of solidarity with the victims of the accident.

BBC reported that more than 30 people were killed when two trains collided and derailed in the Toledo area, with more than 500 passengers on board. Five top-flight clubs — Levante, Alaves, Valencia, Celta Vigo and Real Betis — had been due to play in the opening round on Wednesday. The larger clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are not scheduled to enter the competition until the last-32 stage.

Several clubs issued public messages of sympathy. Barcelona said it was deeply sorry for those affected and offered support to families and injured passengers. Real Madrid also expressed sorrow and said it backed emergency workers involved in the rescue operation. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said he was shocked by the accident and offered support to victims and their families.

BBC said Thursday’s fixtures were still set to go ahead, while the RFEF had not yet announced a revised schedule for the postponed Wednesday matches. In general, major sporting bodies often delay fixtures after national tragedies as a sign of respect, but the specific rescheduling decisions in this case were not yet confirmed in the report.