"Chairs Flying Through the Air" - Las Palmas Boss Fumes Over Travel Nightmare
Luis García erupts after Las Palmas' chaotic journey to Ceuta, where players were stranded at port from 6AM amid dangerous sailing conditions.
Luis García has let rip after Las Palmas’ gruelling journey to Ceuta ended in a frustrating draw in a match he believes should never have been played.
Travel Chaos Hits Squad
The Las Palmas gaffer didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, painting a picture of absolute chaos as his squad attempted to reach the North African enclave for their Segunda División clash.
“From 6AM they were stranded at the port, with chairs flying through the air on the boat… it makes no sense,” García fumed, clearly at the end of his tether with the situation.
The journey to Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on Morocco’s northern coast, is challenging at the best of times, requiring either flights or ferry crossings. But this trip turned into a proper dog’s dinner:
- Players stranded at the maritime port from 6AM
- Dangerous sailing conditions with furniture reportedly airborne
- Some squad members forced to take alternative routes
- Eight-hour airport delays before even departing
Referee Conditions Questioned
García didn’t stop at highlighting his own team’s plight. He raised serious questions about the match officials who endured the same treacherous crossing as Las Palmas players Lukovic and Cedeño.
“They’re expected to be accurate, to be at their best, not to make mistakes and deliver justice,” García said. “Do you really believe the referee can deliver justice after being stranded at a dock since six in the morning to catch a boat, with the first 45 minutes of the crossing being absolute madness?”
The coach’s argument essentially boils down to whether proper sporting conditions existed for either his team or the officials to perform their duties to an acceptable standard.
Pride Despite Adversity
Despite the travel nightmare, García expressed immense pride in his squad for battling through the circumstances to secure a point.
“I’m very proud of them,” he stated, detailing how the stress of cancelled flights, airport delays, and disrupted rest patterns had affected preparation.
In a touch of class, García also thanked opponents Ceuta for their understanding and support throughout the ordeal: “I want to thank Ceuta for empathizing with us, for helping us and understanding the situation. I’m sure this club will do very well in life and I wish them all the best.”
While the result might have been disappointing, the Las Palmas boss clearly felt the real story was the farcical journey that preceded the match – one that has left him questioning why the fixture wasn’t postponed given the extreme circumstances.