During the eighth day of LaLiga, the match between Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Club was suspended due to incidents of violence by the home fans. The match, which was definitively interrupted in the 45th minute, was canceled following three subsequent suspensions, all blamed on the Madrid club and in particular on president Raúl Martín Presa. The incident triggered a strong reaction from local authorities, in particular from Mariano de Paco, Councilor for Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Community of Madrid.
De Paco spoke to the media immediately after the event, expressing his indignation at the "reprobability" of the situation. He reiterated that, from the outset, the administration will not tolerate any form of violence or sabotage on the ground. “With violence we won't get anywhere, with sabotage we won't get anywhere,” he declared, underlining that the management of the stadium problem is already being resolved. The minister asked for "trust" and "serenity" before the match, but complained that these conditions were not achieved.
In his speech, De Paco also appealed to violent groups, saying they must stop immediately. He said violence is not a solution to the problems the administration has addressed as its own. “Rayo Vallecano will remain at the Vallecas Stadium and will remain in a stadium that is worthy of this team and the vast majority of fans,” he added, reiterating that it makes no sense for a few individuals to choose a different path, “on the path of violence and aggression, which has no logic.”
The minister concluded by recalling the importance of tranquility and constructive thinking, inviting everyone to allow the stadium renovation work to proceed. “The Vallecas Stadium will be renovated and the team will remain in Vallecas,” he said, highlighting that the solution is not only technical but also cultural, with the aim of guaranteeing a safe and welcoming environment for all fans.
With the match suspended, La Liga has yet to decide how to proceed with the matchday. The Madrid administration continues to work to resolve the safety issues at the stadium, while fans and authorities monitor the situation to avoid further incidents. Rayo Vallecano's next match will be rescheduled once the stadium is considered safe and complies with safety regulations.