How Will Spanish Soccer Honor the Victims of the Toledo Train Crash?
Spanish soccer is coming together following the tragic train collision in Toledo. The RFEF and LaLiga have announced measures that will affect upcoming Copa del Rey and domestic league matches.
Thursday's Copa del Rey first-round matches will begin with a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the train collision near Urda, Toledo, which has claimed at least 69 lives.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the tribute after postponing the 24 cup matches originally scheduled for Wednesday.
Those postponed fixtures will now be played between October 29 and November 13.
Which Copa del Rey matches will take place on Thursday?
The 14 fixtures already scheduled for Thursday remain on the calendar. With additional matches rescheduled, 23 games are set to take place that day.
Among the fixtures are:
- Calatayud vs. Osasuna
- Lebrijana vs. Getafe
- Auriense vs. Deportivo La Coruña
- Ribadesella vs. Racing Club
- AE Prat vs. Athletic Club
- Hortaleza vs. Sevilla
LaLiga joins the tribute to the victims
Matches in the next round of both Spain's first and second divisions will also observe a minute of silence for those affected by the tragedy.
The RFEF and LaLiga confirmed the tribute as the sporting community expressed grief and solidarity with the victims and their families.
What happened in the Urda train collision?
The accident occurred Wednesday near the town of Urda, in the province of Toledo.
According to Spain's Ministry of Transport, an Iryo train carrying 147 passengers was stationary when it was struck from behind by a Renfe AVE high-speed train carrying 378 passengers.
The force of the collision sent several carriages down the slope beside the tracks. Ministry sources reported that two carriages from the Renfe train derailed and fell down an embankment.
The reported death toll stands at at least 69, with dozens more injured, many of whom were hospitalized.
Authorities have also received 64 missing-person reports from relatives. Among those reported missing was former Spanish Minister of Employment and Social Security Fátima Báñez, who was traveling on one of the trains and whose whereabouts were unknown at the time of the report.
Three ways Spanish soccer is responding to the tragedy
- Copa del Rey tribute: Thursday's matches will begin with a minute of silence in memory of the victims.
- Postponed fixtures: The 24 rescheduled cup matches will take place between October 29 and November 13.
- LaLiga solidarity: The next round of first- and second-division fixtures will also feature a minute of silence.
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