Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou believes that Pedro Porro’s gesture to donate part of his salary to help those affected by the catastrophic floods in Valencia is just part of who the Spaniard is.
More than 200 people have died in the Spanish region, with thousands more reported missing after a year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours. Images have shown many homes destroyed and more than 100,000 cars damaged, many swept away by huge torrents of water and left piled up.
Speaking after Spurs‘ win against Aston Villa on Sunday, Porro had said: “First of all, I just want to say that, well, for a Spaniard, today, for all Spaniards, it’s a sad day. I think we’ve had three, four, five days of terrible suffering. I can’t even imagine what it’s like for everyone involved in Valencia. And, as I posted on social media, I want to dedicate this victory to them.”
The right-back added: “There’s a sense of helplessness. Helplessness about not being there, because I know what it’s like to be ‘in the mud’. I’d be the first one there to help, to show up, but I’m in London, I have competitions, I can’t. I’d say it’s helplessness because I’d like to help.
“But I’ve already spoken to my agents, and I’m going to donate part of my salary to cover whatever they need, to buy shovels, food, especially anything they need.”
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When asked about Porro’s gesture ahead of Tottenham’s game this Sunday against Ipswich, Postecoglou said it was very much in keeping with the player.
“I think most players understand that they are in a pretty privileged position and I think all of them understand the social responsibility that they also carry. Areas where they can help,” he said. “Pedro is certainly a person who is very empathetic in that way, you see him with the younger players or with people in general. It is great.
“I always say to the players, we always need to understand whatever our tough moments are, they pale into insignificance to some of the challenges that people in wider society face. If we can always give back and contribute, I always think those kind of things come back in spades. Not just in terms of gratitude or anything like that, but just for your own life, you feel like you are making a meaningful contribution to something where you have been privileged in your own position.”
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