Rayo Vallecano supporters forced the suspension of their La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao in the 13th minute by throwing paper airplanes and other objects onto the pitch. The protest, aimed at club owner Raúl Martín Presa, led the referee to halt play at the Estadio de Vallecas with the score at 0-0.
The stadium announcer warned the game would be suspended if objects continued to be thrown, but the fans persisted. After a first stoppage and a restart in the 24th minute, play was halted again seconds later. Players and officials left the field as chants against Presa echoed around the ground. Following consultations with police and team officials, the referee suspended the match indefinitely on police advice, a decision met with applause from the home fans.
Background to the protest
This was Rayo's first league game at Vallecas this season. City authorities had closed the stadium over safety concerns, forcing the team to play their previous three home matches in Leganés. Most supporters boycotted those games. The pent-up frustration boiled over on Saturday. The Bukaneros ultra group released a statement calling the stadium license revocation the "final straw" after years of "disastrous" management that puts the safety of 15,000 people at risk every other week.
Mariano de Paco, the region's sports minister, had called for calm the day before. "Rayo will get the stadium it deserves. Have faith," he posted on social media.
Sporting impact
The match, which is expected to be replayed at a later date, leaves Rayo Vallecano with another point on the board from the goalless draw. The team sits 13th in La Liga with 8 points from seven games. Their next fixture is away to Getafe, who sit just below them in the table. Striker Sergio Camello, the team's top scorer with seven goals, will be a key figure for that match.
The Bukaneros have made it clear protests will continue. Rayo's next scheduled home game is against Elche on October 24th.
This story first appeared at Sportsnet Soccer
