Spanish football postpones 24 Copa del Rey ties after fatal train crash

Spain's Royal Football Federation (RFEF) has postponed every Copa del Rey first-round match scheduled for Wednesday 28 October, after a high-speed train collided with a stationary train in central Spain, killing at least 30 people and injuring around 80.

The accident happened when a high-speed service collided with the rear of another train that had stopped on the track. Authorities have warned the death toll could rise further as emergency crews continue their work.

"Shocked by the tragic train accident," the RFEF said in a statement, adding that it had postponed the 24 matches "in solidarity with the victims." The federation said the entire Spanish football community was united in grief and had offered assistance to the authorities.

Among the ties affected were Navalcarnero against Real Betis, Salamanca against Celta Vigo and Tavernes against Valencia. The RFEF said a revised schedule for the first round would be announced later. Thursday's first-round games remain scheduled as planned, and Spain's La Liga has not yet announced any changes to this weekend's league fixtures.

Several clubs expressed condolences on social media. FC Barcelona said it wished to convey support to the families and friends of the victims, while Real Madrid said it shared in the grief of everyone impacted. Sevilla FC held a moment of silence before training and cancelled a pre-match news conference with manager Luis Garcia Plaza.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over Spanish football, with the cup competition paused for a day as the country mourns. No further details about rescheduled matches were immediately available.