Rayo Vallecano’s return to the Avenida de Albufera after five months of exile ended in a chaotic 24‑minute interruption that highlighted the club’s ongoing crisis. The match against Athletic Club was abandoned after a wave of paper planes and plastic balls were hurled onto the pitch, forcing referee José María Sánchez Martínez to halt play and ultimately send the home side off. The incident, which unfolded in the first half of a game that had already been marred by a history of stadium problems, underscored the deep‑seated frustration among Rayo’s supporters and the club’s leadership.
The venue’s troubles began last summer when the Madrid government suspended the lease that allows Rayo to use the stadium in exchange for €81,784 a year. The club’s president, Raúl Martín Presa, accused the council of “condemning the club to Segunda” and locked the gates to keep technicians out, while fans and players alike complained that the pitch was unsafe and unfit for competition. Rayo’s players were forced to train at Getafe and play away matches at Leganés, and the club’s home record suffered as a result. The protest on the day of the Athletic match was a culmination of years of grievances, with fans chanting “Presa, go now!” and distributing flyers that declared the match a “day to protest.”
During the 13th minute of the game, a coordinated wave of paper planes—folded according to instructions printed on flyers—took to the air from all three stands. The planes, along with small plastic balls, landed on the field, prompting the referee to issue a warning. When the disturbances continued, the referee suspended the match for eight minutes and 43 seconds, after which the game was abandoned. The protest was led by Rayo’s supporters, who had been chanting for a change in leadership, and the stadium’s main stand displayed a banner declaring “SOS Rayo Vallecano.” The incident was captured by the referee’s own hand‑held camera, showing the chaos and the players’ attempts to resume play.
The fallout from the incident has already begun to shape the club’s future. Rayo’s president has faced mounting criticism from fans who demand his resignation, while the club’s board is under pressure to address the stadium’s condition and the broader financial instability that has plagued the club. The match’s abandonment also raises questions about La Liga’s protocols for crowd disturbances and the safety of players and staff. In the wake of the protest, the club’s coaching staff, including manager Beñat San José, have been forced to confront the reality that Rayo’s supporters are no longer willing to tolerate the status quo.
Looking ahead, Rayo Vallecano will need to secure a suitable home ground and resolve the leadership crisis before the next fixtures. The club’s future in the top flight remains uncertain, as the current situation threatens to derail its competitive ambitions. For now, the fans’ message is clear: they will not accept the current state of the club or its stadium, and they will continue to demand change until the club can provide a safe and respectful environment for football.