FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly defended Rayo Vallecano over the club's inability to play at their Vallecas stadium. Laporta labeled the situation "shameful" and "unjust" in comments following Monday's match between the two sides. Rayo, sitting 18th in La Liga with just one point from three games, faces a tough sporting situation made worse by not having a home ground.
The Community of Madrid has kept the Estadio de Vallecas closed due to non-compliance with conditioning and habitability regulations. This closure has forced Rayo to play their opening league matches away from their fortress, including the second-round match against Alavés, which was held at Leganés's Estadio de Butarque. The next scheduled home game, against Racing de Santander on September 5th, also depends on receiving the necessary authorization. Barcelona argued that Rayo should already be playing in Vallecas, stating the required permits are ready.
The Blaugrana chief was blunt in his criticism. "It's a shame what they are doing to Rayo. It's very unfair," stated Laporta. The president added that he has spoken with Rayo president Raúl Martín Presa and his close associates, and it is clear the situation "is not correct." "A solution must be found. The permits are already ready and Rayo should be playing in Vallecas already," he concluded. These remarks come after the match at the Spotify Camp Nou, where Barcelona won 5-2 in what has been their most competitive early-season fixture.
The inability to play at Vallecas is an additional burden for a team already battling in the lower reaches of the table. With a recent form of loss, draw, loss (LDL), Rayo Vallecano has conceded eight goals while scoring only four, giving them a -4 goal difference. The team is also eight points behind the leaders, Barcelona. This precarious situation is compounded by squad absences, with players Augusto Batalla and Jozhua Vertrouwd currently sidelined.
All focus is now on the next fixture, scheduled for September 5th. Rayo is set to host tenth-placed Racing de Santander in what would be their longed-for home debut this season. However, the match remains pending approval from the authorities. Meanwhile, the club and its fans await a resolution that will allow them to regain normality and the advantage of playing in their own stadium.
Pressure on the institutions to solve the problem is high, with figures like Laporta adding their voice to that of president Raúl Martín Presa. The match against Racing de Santander is marked on the calendar as the chance to turn things around.
