Rayo Vallecano ordered to close stand after fan protest abandons Athletic Club match

Rayo Vallecano have been fined 6,000 euros and ordered to close their south stand for their next home La Liga fixture after supporters forced the abandonment of Saturday’s match against Athletic Club.

The Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee issued the punishment on Wednesday. Rayo must serve the partial stadium closure when they host Elche on October 24.

The committee also warned that any further incidents could result in the entire stadium being closed.

The game at Vallecas was halted after 13 minutes when supporters threw paper planes and rubber balls on to the pitch. The protest was directed at club owner Raul Martin Presa, amid growing dissatisfaction among fans over the condition of the club’s facilities.

LaLiga have not yet confirmed when the abandoned fixture against Athletic Club will be completed.

Dispute over Vallecas conditions

Relations between Presa and Rayo supporters have deteriorated in recent months. In February, the club’s players and coaching staff expressed concerns about the state of the training complex and home pitch, saying the facilities were not fit for purpose.

The dispute intensified after Madrid’s regional government suspended Rayo’s use of Vallecas stadium on safety grounds. As a result, the club played their first three LaLiga home matches of the season at alternative venues.

Rayo rejected claims that the stadium was unsafe, saying technical inspections and two audits had established that it complied with the required safety and public-health standards.

Presa also defended the ground last month in an interview with Cadena Cope, saying Vallecas was in “optimal condition” and that supporters were not at risk.

Following the disruption against Athletic Club, Rayo said they would identify and punish those responsible. The club accused the group behind the protest of carrying out a sustained campaign against it.

Rayo are 13th in La Liga with eight points. Their next match is away to Getafe on Monday, when they will attempt to focus on their league campaign while the dispute surrounding Vallecas continues.