Villarreal were due to continue their pursuit of a Champions League spot at La Ceramica on Monday night, while Espanyol were hoping to extend the gap between themselves and the relegation zone. However, the game was abandoned just minutes after kick-off due to weather conditions.

Red weather warnings for flooding were issued in the Castellon region from 18:00 BST, several hours before kick-off. However, it was not until the players were in the tunnel that it was announced that the game would be postponed due to rain.

At 9.07pm, the 15,000 fans who had travelled to La Ceramica were told that the game had been called off due to weather warnings. While the Vila-Real area itself was relatively unaffected at the time, regions to the north were experiencing heavy rainfall and the threat of flooding, with memories of October's DANA/Cold Drop floods still fresh in the region.

The decision to call off the game so late in the day was heavily criticised, with some failing to understand the delay. Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza confirmed to Marca that the 240 Espanyol fans who had travelled would be 'helped', with Los Pericos covering the costs of the expedition and the tickets for their efforts.

According to Diario AS, the most likely date for the replay is 2 April, the first available midweek after the international break in March. That would also be the night Barcelona travel to Atletico Madrid for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. Espanyol, Villarreal, the RFEF and La Liga would have to give the green light for the new date.