Spain Postpones 24 Copa del Rey Matches After Deadly Train Collision

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has postponed 24 matches in the opening round of the Copa del Rey following a deadly high-speed train collision that killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 in Spain.

The federation announced the decision on Wednesday, describing it as a mark of respect and solidarity with the victims of the tragedy, which occurred in the province of Toledo, south of Madrid.

“The entire Spanish football family stands united in grief over this tragedy and stands ready to assist the authorities in helping the victims of this devastating accident,” the RFEF said in a statement published on its website.

The federation added that the 24 fixtures, originally scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and evening, had been suspended in honour of those affected by the crash.

It also said further information would be provided in due course regarding the revised tournament schedule and the final kick-off times for the postponed matches.

The collision killed at least 64 people and left more than 100 others injured, according to figures cited by Castilla-La Mancha regional leader Emiliano García-Page. He warned that the death toll could rise as emergency responders continued searching the crash site for survivors.

Images and reports from the scene described train carriages lying on their sides at the bottom of an embankment amid twisted metal debris. Helicopters and emergency service vehicles were deployed as rescue teams worked to locate survivors and assist the injured.

State railway operator Renfe confirmed that the main high-speed rail line linking Madrid with southern Spain had been suspended following an accident involving one of its services and a train operated by private Spanish rail company Iryo.

Iryo said its train, which was carrying 147 passengers and five staff members, including the driver, had been struck from behind by the Renfe service. Authorities were continuing to respond to the disaster as the country mourned the victims.

The postponement of the Copa del Rey fixtures reflects the impact of the tragedy beyond transport, with Spanish football suspending scheduled matches to show solidarity with the victims and their families.