Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Rayo Vallecano Fans Throw Paper Planes, Force Raul Martin Presa Protest Suspension vs Athletic Club
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Rayo Vallecano fans protested President Raúl Martín Presa by throwing objects, causing match suspension. The match against Athletic Club was abandoned after repeated stoppages from object-throwing.
Match abandoned at Vallecas
Rayo Vallecano’s La Liga match against Athletic Club was abandoned on Saturday after home supporters threw paper airplanes and small rubber balls onto the pitch in protest against club owner Raul Martin Presa. The match was Rayo’s first home fixture of the season at the Estadio de Vallecas, and the referee abandoned the game with the score goalless after the protest forced multiple stoppages.
The disruption began midway through the first half, and the stadium speaker urged spectators not to throw objects onto the field while staff removed debris. The protest started in the 13th minute, when Rayo fans threw paper planes and rubber balls onto the pitch, prompting the referee to stop play and then abandon it again after the south stand repeated the protest.
Fans, officials, and blame
Rayo fans blamed owner and president Raul Martin Presa for the club’s problems, and Presa accused regional authorities of deliberately targeting his club. Rayo captain Oscar Valentin said on social media that "an unsustainable situation had reached its limit" and added that "It is necessary to listen to and understand the discontent of our fans."
La Liga said in a statement on social media it "strongly condemned this type of behaviour, which endangers safety" and made the normal development of the competition impossible. Athletic Club returned to Bilbao and said on social media that LaLiga had communicated the game would not take place later on Saturday or on Sunday, while Athletic would contact supporters who travelled to arrange refunds.
What comes next
LaLiga said a new date and time for the match will be announced shortly after the referee abandoned the game, and Athletic returned to Bilbao following the decision. Rayo released a statement saying the forced postponement was part of a sustained campaign of disruption by the fan group, and the club’s statement described the players, officials and supporters present as "victims of an attack on their rights and freedoms".
Spain’s soccer federation (RFEF) could order a "total or partial closure" of Rayo’s stadium for up to three matches, as per the code of conduct. The match was Rayo’s first of the season at Estadio de Vallecas, which had been temporarily closed after an audit highlighted serious health and safety issues including a risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease.