Spain Postpones 24 Copa del Rey Games After Deadly High-Speed Train Crash

Spain's football federation, the RFEF, has postponed all 24 Copa del Rey games that were scheduled for Wednesday after a high-speed train crash in central Spain. The Independent and Al Jazeera both reported that authorities warned the death toll could rise.

The federation said the matches were called off as a sign of respect and solidarity with the victims. It said it will announce a revised schedule in the coming days.

What is known about the crash

According to the Independent, a government spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha region said two high-speed trains collided just after 9 a.m. between the towns of Mora and Orgaz in Toledo province, causing two carriages to derail. One train belonged to Renfe and the other to Iryo, and both were traveling from Madrid to Seville. A total of 544 people were aboard the two trains.

Reports differ on the toll. The Independent said at least 64 people had died, while Al Jazeera reported at least 30 deaths and about 80 injured. Al Jazeera described the collision as one high-speed service slamming into the rear of another train that had stopped on the track. Both outlets said the figures could change.

Which games were called off

All 24 first-round ties planned for Wednesday afternoon and evening were suspended. Al Jazeera listed Navalcarnero against Real Betis, Salamanca against Celta Vigo and Tavernes against Valencia among them. The Independent noted that Betis, which currently sits fourth in LaLiga, was one of the top-flight sides due to begin its cup run that evening.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are not affected by the first round. The Independent reported that they enter the competition in the round of 32 in December because of their involvement in the Spanish Super Cup.

What this means for fans and clubs

For supporters who had planned to attend or watch Wednesday's games, the immediate effect is that none will be played that day, and new dates are still to be announced. Al Jazeera said first-round games on Thursday have not been postponed, and the Spanish league has not announced any postponements for the weekend's matches.

Clubs responded to the crash with statements of sympathy. The Independent quoted Real Madrid as saying it shared in the grief of everyone affected, and Atletico Madrid said it joined in mourning the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. FC Barcelona also offered support to the families and friends of the victims, according to Al Jazeera. Sevilla FC held a moment of silence before training on Wednesday and canceled its manager's news conference ahead of its match against Sporting de Hortaleza.

What happens next

The federation has said that the final times for the postponed Copa del Rey games will be announced in the coming days. The cause of the crash and the final number of casualties have not yet been established, and authorities have said the toll could rise.

Around Prague, based on reporting by The Independent, Al Jazeera