Tears, tributes and unity as football returns to Valencia after the floods

“There was absolute silence at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium at 1.59pm on Saturday, as a crowd of 43,975 remembered the victims of the horrific flooding that struck the region last month. An incredibly emotional pre-game ceremony began with people from the areas most affected by the flooding bringing a huge Senyera, the Valencian regional flag, donated by Real Madrid, onto the pitch. Valencia and visitors Real Betis were led from the tunnel by kids wearing the shirts of clubs in the Horta Sud district, which was hardest hit. Players and match officials carried a giant black ribbon as a tribute to the 221 people who died in the worst natural disaster in Spain’s recent history. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)