Valencia fan groups urge supporters to leave Mestalla empty until the 19th minute against Barça

Mestalla could remain unusually quiet for the opening 19 minutes of Valencia’s match against Barcelona. Several supporter groups are asking season-ticket holders not to enter the stadium until then, in a fresh protest against owner Peter Lim and the club’s management.

The timing is a reference to 1919, the year Valencia was founded. In a statement, the organizers urged fans to direct their protests toward the directors’ box while continuing to encourage the team. Curva Nord 10 said its members approved the action in a vote and announced a protest outside the entrances to the singing section.

The appeal comes as Valencia faces a prolonged atmosphere of pessimism and confusion. Barcelona arrive as league leaders with a chance to extend their advantage after Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid lost to Betis and Athletic Club. The Valencia-Barcelona fixture has traditionally generated strong anticipation, but the planned action could leave the home stands empty at the start.

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I think they have absolutely nothing to do with it, the problem is the head of the snake.

The Libertad VCF group has also backed the initiative. So has Mario Alberto Kempes, one of Valencia’s most important legends and Argentina’s 1978 World Cup final hero. In a video published by Las Provincias, Kempes told supporters not to target the coach, players or staff. “I think they have absolutely nothing to do with it, the problem is the head of the snake,” he said.

Kempes went further, calling for supporters to stop attending matches altogether. “Do not go to the stadium at all, let them play in an empty stadium. Let’s see what happens, let’s see how that feels,” he said. He also urged fans not to renew their season tickets until the owner says he will invest money to improve Valencia.

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Do not go to the stadium at all, let them play in an empty stadium. Let’s see what happens, let’s see how that feels.