Anil Murthy: "The first priority is the health of everybody at the club"

On an eventful day off the pitch, Valencia CF president Anil Murthy spoke to VCF Media about the decision to suspend LaLiga fixtures for the next two weeks and the verdict of the European Court of Justice to uphold the club's appeal.

The suspension of at least the next two LaLiga fixtures

"Unfortunately it comes as no surprise. A month ago, at the start of the situation, we began to plan, bearing in mind that prevention was the most important thing for us. We have taken preventative measures that have been as dificult as they are neccesary, to protect our players, coaching staff and employees. We reflected and acted before anybody, regardless of some criticism, because the first priority is the health of everybody at the club -including the VCF Academy.

"We have closed of all games and training sessions for the VCF Academy, but since a week ago we have planned what we were going to do when the kids returned home, and what training plan they are going to have. Each of our youth team players has a workplan that our coaches will be overseeing, ensuring that they continue working at home. There is a project for their work, and that was the most important thing for me: That the club decided to plan things. Now the COVID-19 coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the WHO, and obviously competitions and many social events are being suspended."

Aims in LaLiga

"There are things that we can't control. We don't know when the situation is going to improve, nor when we are going to return to action, but what are we going to do at this time? With every precaution, the club and the team need to keep working. Even in the offices, the club employees are going to work in shifts. The team are going to continue with their training session, with precuations, because when LaLiga starts back up they will need to compete; we are Valencia CF. We aren't far off the Champions League spots in LaLiga, and in fact we are closer than we were last season. Every team suffers setbacks and bad runs, and that's why we will keep fighting until the final day, the final second. I am convinced that we are going to achieve it, because we have a great squad and great coaching staff."

The European Court of Justice ruling to annull the 24m euro fine

"It has been a very long process, of nearly four years in duration, but from day one we have defended the club, convinced of our arguments. Although we have always trusted in the European courts, in the process of the anullment of this unfair fine, we are grateful for the support of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig, Manuel Illueca of the IVF and the Solicitor General of Spain. Together, we have achieved something fair for clubs in general here in Spain, and in this case for us."

A message for the fans

"The other day, at Mestalla, when we played against Atalanta BC, it was a strange game at an empty ground. Many people say it, and I share their opinion: Football isn't played like that. There is a big difference when our fans are inside the ground. Our fans are fundamental, and with them we are unbeaten in LaLiga at Mestalla this season. We understand the fans' frustration with such an important game being held behind closed doors. Now that LaLiga has been suspended, we don't know when we can start everything back up again normally. Football is about feeling and emotion, and we -starting with me as president and the rest of the staff- should combine that passion with cool heads to anticipate things and make sure that everything we do is the best for Valencia CF to keep growing. We will return to normality soon, I'm sure; I don't know when, but we will return to normality and enjoy Valencia CF with our fans."