Rayo Vallecano have been fined €6,000 and handed a partial stadium closure for one match by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee. The sanction, which will be served during their next home game against Elche on 24 October, stems from objects thrown by fans during last Saturday's match against Athletic Bilbao, a game that was ultimately suspended.
The protest, aimed at club president Raúl Martín Presa, began in the 13th minute with paper planes, rubber balls and other items launched from the stand housing the Bukaneros supporters' group. Ten minutes later, referee Sánchez Martínez sent the players to the dressing rooms and suspended the match, which officially ended as a 0-0 draw. The Committee formally declared the club responsible for "a serious infraction of disturbing the order of the match".
Immediate consequences
The punishment means the specific closure of the "stand located above the changing rooms area" for the clash with Elche. Also, the disciplinary body has expressly warned Rayo "of the total closure of its sports facilities in case of recurrence". The matter of the suspended match has been referred to the Competition Judge to decide on its resumption, under Article 56 of the RFEF statutes.
This setback comes at a sensitive time for the team, who sit 13th in La Liga with 8 points.
This story first appeared at El País Deportes
