La Liga made the decision to postpone Atletico Madrid’s highly anticipated match against Sevilla on Sunday due to the looming threat of heavy rain in the Spanish capital. The club announced the postponement citing concerns over adverse weather conditions.
In a statement, Atletico Madrid explained, “The game at the Civitas Metropolitano has been postponed due to the bad weather forecast for this afternoon.” The decision came after consultations with the Spanish football federation, the National Sports Council, and both clubs, and was ultimately made by La Liga.
The Spanish capital, Madrid, was on high alert due to the anticipated heavy rainfall throughout the day, which was part of a weather front affecting various regions in Spain. In response, the Madrid city council advised citizens to remain indoors and only venture out if absolutely necessary.
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued alerts covering large parts of Spain due to the severe weather conditions. Madrid’s mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, noted that the city was bracing for an exceptionally challenging afternoon and evening, with the potential for rainfall levels not seen since 1972.
Interestingly, Real Madrid had already taken precautions by closing the roof of the Santiago Bernabeu during their Saturday match against Getafe, given the rain forecast. This marked the first time that the newly renovated stadium’s roof had been utilized.
The decision to postpone the Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla match underscores the importance of safety and weather considerations in scheduling sporting events, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather conditions.