Elche CF will visit a partially closed Vallecas stadium this Saturday, with only 143 tickets available for their fans following the disciplinary sanction imposed on Rayo Vallecano. The punishment, which includes a 6,000 euro fine, stems from incidents during the match against Athletic Club on October 10th, which forced the club to identify specific stadium sectors within 24 hours.
The Alicante-based club has set the ticket price at 30 euros each and is organizing a bus trip from the Martínez Valero for 40 euros, departing at 6:00 AM on match day. The total cost for fans choosing this package is 70 euros. The match, corresponding to the tenth round of LaLiga EA Sports, is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th at 14:00.
Fan groups' rejection
The sanction has sparked strong rejection among the local supporters. A total of 18 Rayo Vallecano fan groups signed a joint manifesto expressing their disagreement with the disciplinary committee's decision. The ADRV Platform stated their position clearly: "Ante el cierre parcial del estadio: nuestra solidaridad".
This fixture comes at an inconsistent time for Rayo, who sit 13th in the table with 9 points after eight games. Their last result was a 1-1 draw against Getafe on October 19th, with Álvaro García scoring. The team has scored 12 and conceded 17 goals this season, sitting 18 points behind leaders Barcelona. Their next fixture, precisely against Elche, is on our fixtures page.
Elche, managed by Martín Anselmi, arrive at Vallecas bottom of the table in 18th place. In the last meeting between the two, on April 3rd, Rayo won 1-0. For the Madrid side, this match is a clear opportunity to take three points against a direct rival in the lower part of the standings. Striker Sergio Camello, the team's top scorer with seven goals, will be a key asset for the home attack.
The partial closure sanction specifically affects the away section, explaining the limited ticket allocation. Rayo president Raúl Martín Presa and the club have not made additional public statements on the case since the official notification of the sanction. The team looks to correct its course after a run of one win, three draws, and one loss in its last five matches. Focus on the pitch will be key in a stadium that, despite the restrictions, hopes to be a fortress once again.
This story first appeared at alicanteplaza.es
