The Administrative Sports Tribunal (TAD) has upheld a €15,000 fine against Rayo Vallecano for failing to prevent a violent chant in their stadium. The sanction, imposed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), stands after the club's appeal was dismissed.
The incident took place during the LaLiga match against Athletic Club on 28 February at Vallecas. According to Iusport, the complaint filed by LaLiga was based on the chant 'Arriba, arriba, arriba con la Goma 2, que en Vallecas se prepara Pim Pam Pum la Revolución'. The tribunal ruled the message "exalts an explosive and represents its detonation to foster a climate of violence".
Appeal dismissed
Rayo had appealed to the TAD after the fine was ratified by the RFEF's Appeal Committee. The club's defence leaned on a prior ruling that annulled a €9,000 fine for the same chant in a match against Villarreal in February 2025. However, the TAD determined that previous verdict did not have res judicata effect or create a binding precedent, as the incidents occurred in different seasons and involved separate sanctioning acts.
The tribunal noted that, following the 2025 case, the club did issue messages to prevent the chant's repetition, something that did not happen before or during the Athletic match this year. The resolution clarifies that identifying a violence-inciting chant does not require an identified victim, a specific order to act, or a violent outcome.
This ruling comes as Rayo Vallecano sit 12th in LaLiga with 8 points from seven games. Their next fixture is an away trip to 11th-placed Getafe on 19 October. The team will aim to maintain focus on and off the pitch.
This story first appeared at Mundo Deportivo
