Rayo Vallecano's main supporter groups have issued a forceful statement in response to president Raúl Martín Presa's comments about the protest that halted the match against Athletic Club. The Plataforma ADRV and the Federación de Peñas, backed by around fifteen groups including Bukaneros and Resistencia Vallekana, state the protest was "a peaceful and democratic act by the vast majority of the twelve thousand season ticket holders". The action, which had all necessary permits, involved throwing paper and rubber balls from several sectors of the stadium, a fact confirmed by the referee's report which noted no injuries.

The animation groups flatly deny that the team captains asked fans to stop protesting. In fact, captain Óscar Valentín has publicly urged the club to listen to the supporters. The statement directly accuses Martín Presa of dividing the dressing room and giving misleading accounts, citing the summer departures of Andrei Rațiu and Pathé Ciss and unpaid bonuses to the coaching staff who have since left as examples.

Call for institutional action

The communiqué goes beyond clarifying the events and demands an institutional response. The supporter groups ask LaLiga to stop ignoring the club's management and call on public administrations not to grant Presa any public land for a new stadium. They also urge sponsors to consider whether they want to associate their brand with the current board or with the club's social base. It concludes with a call for mobilisation "until Rayo returns to its people".

This internal conflict arises during an inconsistent sporting period for the team, who sit 13th in La Liga with 8 points from seven games. The team has managed just one win in its last five matches. Their next fixture is a trip to face Getafe, a direct rival positioned just below them in the league standings. Forward Sergio Camello, with 7 goals, is the team's main attacking threat this season, though the side has scored only 9 goals in total. The situation demands focus on the pitch while tensions are resolved off it. The schedule for the upcoming period, available on our fixtures page, will be key for stabilising their league position.

This story first appeared at unionrayo.es