Rayo Vallecano’s long-awaited return to their home stadium turned into a chaotic night after referee José María Sánchez Martínez decided to suspend their match against Athletic Bilbao, with the score goalless, due to supporters throwing large numbers of projectiles onto the pitch.
The incidents were far from spontaneous, preceded by fan calls to protest against club president Raúl Martín Presa, coinciding with Rayo playing their first La Liga home match at the Vallecas stadium after an absence of 147 days.
The crisis began in the 13th minute when fans threw hundreds of paper airplanes and small plastic balls as Bilbao prepared to take a corner kick, prompting the referee to suspend play for approximately 10 minutes and activate the first phase of the protocol for dealing with crowd disturbances.
Following the resumption of play, the throwing of projectiles resumed, prompting the referee to send the players back to the dressing rooms. Rayo team captains Isi Palazón and Óscar Valentín spoke with supporters from the “Bukaneros” ultra group in an attempt to calm the situation.
The two teams returned to the pitch once more, but play lasted a mere 16 seconds before more objects were hurled, including bottles and a stadium seat from the stands. Consequently, the security coordinator informed the referee that the safety of players and officials could no longer be guaranteed, leading to the definitive decision to suspend the match.
The referee’s match report confirmed that no players or officials were struck by the projectiles, but the persistent throwing despite warnings and de-escalation attempts made continuing the fixture under those conditions impossible.
The fan anger is tied to Presa’s management, the poor condition of the Vallecas stadium, and the issues that kept the team away from home, forcing Rayo to play their first three home matches at the Butarque stadium in Leganés. Prior to kickoff, leaflets were distributed calling for whistles from the first minute and the release of paper airplanes at the 13th minute, alongside chants of “Presa, leave.”
La Liga announced that a new date for the fixture will be announced shortly, while Rayo prepare to face Getafe on October 19. The referee’s report is also expected to be referred to disciplinary bodies, raising the prospect of a financial fine, a partial stadium closure, or an order to play behind closed doors, though no official ruling on penalties or how the match will be completed has been issued yet.
