Rayo Vallecano has published a statement in which it firmly condemns the events that occurred at the Vallecas Stadium during the match against Athletic Club de Bilbao, which was suspended in the 13th minute after objects were thrown by a section of the fans. The club describes the action as “meticulously prepared” and “planned by intellectual leaders of an organized group”, accusing the ultra-distincts of trying to stop the match and attacking the safety of players, referees and spectators.
The context of the season has been tense for the club. Fans have expressed their discontent with the management and with the player Martín Presa, and the protest intensified when paper airplanes and plastic balls were thrown onto the field. Rayo Vallecano has indicated that the situation occurs a week after a failed attempt to assault the box by members of the ultra group Bukaneros, who also tried to attack the board of directors and the president of the club. In the last fifteen years, the club has faced similar episodes, such as in the matches against Real Madrid in 2012 and Albacete in 2019, and has suffered threats and pressure from ultra groups that seek to intimidate the club.
The statement details the measures that the club has taken to avoid the suspension of the match: the presence of private security was increased, volunteers were mobilized and warnings were issued over public address systems and video scoreboards so that the aggressors would stop. Despite these efforts, objects continued to be thrown and the coordination of the aggressors made it impossible to guarantee the necessary security, which led the police to order the definitive suspension of the meeting. The club has also informed the authorities, including the Government Delegation, the National Police and the Municipal Police, about the risks and has asked that measures be taken to avoid collaboration with ultra groups and related organizations.
Rayo Vallecano emphasizes that the board has managed to transform the entity from a situation of financial crisis to one of economic stability, with an increase in staff costs of more than 300% and participation in 12 First Division seasons, Copa del Rey semi-finals and a recent European runners-up. The club concludes its statement by asking institutions to act firmly against violence and intimidation, and not to allow the legitimization of groups that resort to violence to achieve their objectives. The club hopes that the authorities will take concrete measures to guarantee security in the upcoming matches and prevent violence from interrupting football again.