Parejo on Mestalla closure: We won't let them walk all over our badge Valencia Compared Atalanta clash to Las Fallas festival

Dani Parejo has used his Instagram profile to criticise the decision to close Mestalla for the second leg of Valencia's last-16 tie against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.

After more than a week in which, due to security measures regarding coronavirus, there have been no statements from the first team to the media, the Valencia captain has described the measure as "a lack of consistency" and has done so with a strong statement.

"Every time we go onto the field, we give our all for the badge and now we are not going to stand with our arms crossed while others walk all over it," Parejo wrote.

Parejo has criticised the management of the coronavirus crisis, given how it is being managed substantially differently depending on the country or region.

"I am the first to be indignant when I see that the measures taken are not consistent; I don't understand how a global crisis can be managed in Spain, depending on the region in which you live," he added.

Parejo then expressed one of the ideas used in the discussions on restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Valencia.

The popular festival Las Fallas has already begun in the city with thousands of visitors attending, many of whom head to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to see the models made that will be burnt in the celebrations next weekend as it spreads across the city.

"I'm not an expert, but out of pure common sense I don't understand how I can pass through Valencia with thousands of people in the streets celebrating Las Fallas that both my family and I love, how I can go and pick up a relative at the airport where hundreds of flights arrive from all over the world, how I can watch dozens of sporting, solidarity or cultural events where thousands of fans congregate on TV and yet we at Valencia CF will not be able to play the most important game of the season in front of our people," he insisted.

Parejo has also criticised the politicians who are responsible for taking these measures that affect football and not other celebrations.

"It doesn't make sense, we cannot let political or economic interests take precedence over people's health," he said.

"If the match against Atalanta is dangerous, the large crowds on the streets over these days are even more dangerous for various reasons.

"If it's dangerous for people to gather at Mestalla, it's also dangerous at the Parc des Princes, at Anfield, at the Red Bull Arena, at the Etihad [Stadium], at the Camp Nou, at the Allianz [Stadium] in Turin and at the Allianz [Arena] in Munich."

Valencia will face Atalanta behind closed doors after recommendations from the Spanish authorities and an agreement with UEFA.

También ha criticado a los responsables políticos, encargados de tomar estas medidas que afectan al fútbol y no a otras celebraciones: "No tiene sentido. No podemos dejar que los intereses políticos o económicos primen sobre la salud de la población. Si es peligroso el partido contra el Atalanta, mucho más lo son las grandes aglomeraciones que se viven estos días en las calles por diversos motivos. Si es peligroso que la gente se junte en Mestalla, también lo es en el Parque de los Príncipes, en Anfield, en el Red Bull Arena, en el Etihad, en el Camp Nou, en el Allianz de Turín y en el de Munich".