Rayo Vallecano’s opening La Liga fixture against Athletic Club was abandoned after a wave of paper planes and rubber balls were hurled onto the pitch by home supporters, prompting the referee to call off the match at 13 minutes. The incident occurred at Estadio de Vallecas, which had been temporarily closed earlier in the season following an audit that uncovered serious health and safety concerns, including a potential Legionnaires’ disease risk.
The protest was directed at club owner and president Raúl Martín Presa, who has faced criticism from fans for the poor maintenance of the stadium and a failure to modernise club facilities. During the first half, Rayo fans, who traditionally chant “Presa, leave now,” threw the objects onto the field. The referee halted play, and the stadium announcer warned spectators against throwing items onto the pitch while stewards rushed to clear the grass. When play resumed fifteen minutes later, supporters in the south stand repeated the act, forcing the referee to abandon the game with the score at 0‑0.
After the abandonment, Athletic Club issued a statement saying it would contact the Spanish side’s travelling supporters to arrange refunds. The club’s decision reflects the broader frustration among Rayo fans, who have long complained about the state of the venue. Last season, Rayo’s players sent a letter to the Spanish football federation describing the Vallecas pitch as “unplayable” and highlighting a lack of hot water in showers and inadequate cleaning. The club also struggled to use its own training ground due to mould issues, yet managed to reach the UEFA Conference League final, where they lost 1‑0 to Crystal Palace.
Rayo’s fans often face long queues at the stadium’s small box office, as the club is the only top‑flight Spanish team without an online ticketing system. The club currently sits 13th in La Liga, having secured two wins from their first seven matches. The abandoned match underscores the mounting tensions between the supporters and the club’s management, and it remains to be seen how the federation will address the safety and maintenance concerns raised by the audit and the players’ letter.