Rayo Vallecano v Athletic Bilbao abandoned after supporters’ protests at Vallecas

The La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao was abandoned after repeated protests by the home supporters at Vallecas.

The unrest began in the 13th minute of the eighth-round fixture, when Rayo fans criticised the club’s management. They displayed a banner reading: “Presa, the ball is in your court,” referring to the club president, Raul Martin Presa.

Supporters also threw white handkerchiefs and paper aeroplanes on to the pitch, forcing stadium workers to spend 10 minutes clearing the debris. The match was temporarily suspended while the players waited.

Play resumed, but further objects were thrown by the crowd. The referee then stopped the game again and instructed the players to return to the dressing rooms.

The teams later came back on to the pitch and the match restarted, but continuing protests led the referee to abandon the fixture following a recommendation from the police.

The match was Rayo Vallecano’s first at Vallecas this season after the stadium had been closed by the Madrid regional government.

Rayo had been forced to begin the campaign by playing their home matches away from Vallecas, specifically at Leganes’ stadium, after the regional authorities temporarily prohibited fixtures at the ground because of its poor condition.

The restriction was lifted after approximately 150 days, allowing Rayo to return to Vallecas for the visit of Athletic Bilbao.

However, the supporters’ protests over the stadium’s condition led to two stoppages during the game and prevented the club from completing its long-awaited homecoming.

The disruption came after Rayo Vallecano reached the first continental final in its history last season. The Madrid club made it to the UEFA Conference League final, where they were beaten by Crystal Palace.