The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has postponed Real Madrid’s La Liga away game against Valencia, initially scheduled for this weekend, due to catastrophic flooding that has claimed more than 95 lives in eastern Spain.

The suspension announced on Thursday also extends to Villarreal’s home match against Rayo Vallecano, as well as three second-division matches involving teams from flood-affected areas.

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The RFEF acted at La Liga’s request to delay these matches, following devastating flash floods that have impacted the Valencia region.

“It has been agreed to postpone matches that were to be played in professional and non-professional competitions, both in 11-a-side football and in indoor football (in the Valencia region),” the federation stated.

The federation had already postponed several midweek Copa del Rey first-round matches, including Valencia’s tie against Parla Escuela, in response to the widespread destruction.

As Spain mourns the lives lost, a moment of silence will be observed this weekend at football matches nationwide, including the league leaders Barcelona’s Catalan derby against Espanyol on Sunday.

Nigeria international, Peter Olayinka is set to miss significant game time after undergoing surgery on an Achilles tendon injury, Red Star Belgrade has confirmed.

The forward sustained the injury during last week’s UEFA Champions League match against AS Monaco, forcing him off the field early.

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In an official statement, the Serbian club revealed that Olayinka had surgery in Finland, performed by a renowned specialist.

“Peter Olayinka was successfully operated on in Finland by a famous doctor, following an Achilles tendon injury he suffered in Monaco,” Red Star’s statement read.

“The surgery went smoothly, and we now await his recovery period to assess his return timeline. We wish him a swift recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon.”

Olayinka, who has contributed two goals and two assists across six league appearances this season, is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months as he recovers.

His absence will be felt both by Red Star Belgrade and Nigeria’s national team, where he has been a valuable asset.

The extended recovery period means Olayinka will miss much of Red Star’s season and a portion of Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has been awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or, capping a standout season where he was pivotal in securing Manchester City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title and led Spain to victory at Euro 2024.

However, the award ceremony in Paris was marked by Real Madrid’s absence as the Spanish club staged a boycott over Vinicius Junior’s exclusion from the top prize.

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Rodri’s win, announced during the glamorous ceremony at the Châtelet Theatre on Monday night, was unexpected to many, as Real Madrid’s Vinicius had been widely seen as a favorite following a stellar season that saw Madrid claim both La Liga and Champions League titles.

Accepting the award, Rodri expressed gratitude toward his teammates and coaches, saying, “It’s an honor to be here, and I owe so much to my club and country. Football is a team effort, and I’m here because of the dedication of everyone around me.”

The evening also saw Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati win her second consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or, following a season in which she led Barcelona to a historic quadruple and helped Spain secure the Nations League title.

Hours before the ceremony, the club released a statement confirming it would not attend, citing “disrespect” toward Vinicius.

Madrid suggested that if the award did not go to Vinicius, it should have been awarded to Dani Carvajal, who scored a crucial goal in Madrid’s Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.

“If the award criteria don’t favor Vinicius, then they should favor Carvajal,” the club stated to AFP. “Since that is not the case, it’s clear the Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid will not attend an event where it is not respected.”

Organizers from the Amaury group, which oversees the Ballon d’Or through L’Équipe and France Football, dismissed rumors of a leaked result, emphasizing that “no player or club” was informed in advance.

An international jury of 100 journalists ultimately selected Rodri from a competitive shortlist, but the decision stirred controversy among fans and insiders alike.

While Real Madrid’s star-studded list of nominees, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham, highlighted the club’s achievements, the exclusion of Vinicius left a contentious note on the night’s celebrations.