Fali tragedy stuns Valencia

Valencia CF spent the weekend mourning the death of Valencia B midfield player Rafael Bernal 'Fali', who was killed in a car crash which left a team-mate seriously injured.

Funeral on Saturday
Fali, who was 21, died in the traffic accident while returning from training with Miguel Rubio, another player newly arrived at Valencia B from CD Don Benito. The 23-year-old Rubio underwent surgery on Friday and has been recovering at a hospital in Albacete. Valencia president Jaime Ortí, director of sport Jesús García Pitarch and coach Roberto Fernández attended Fali's funeral in Cáceres on Saturday.

Reluctant to travel
News of the tragedy reached the Valencia squad ahead of their departure for China, where they will play a friendly match this week. Players from Valencia B among the party asked not to travel but Fernando Camarasa, the team's spokesman, said: "The match was already agreed so we cannot miss it. We must play for Fali and Rubio."

'I cannot believe it'
Valencia B captain Joaquin Enguix said: "It is very difficult for all of us but especially for their families. In the morning we were training with them, then they went back home and ... I cannot believe it."