Match Abandoned Amid Fan Unrest
Rayo Vallecano‘s La Liga match against Athletic Club was abandoned after supporters repeatedly threw objects onto the pitch during protests directed at club president Raúl Martín Presa. Referee José María Sánchez Martínez ultimately ordered the teams off the field following the escalating disruption.
The incident began in the 13th minute when fans behind the goal occupied by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón started throwing small balls and paper planes onto the field. Play was initially stopped, and the teams resumed after a brief delay. However, when objects were thrown again, the referee sent the players to the dressing rooms. Despite another attempt to restart, the protests recurred, leading to the definitive suspension of the match.
LaLiga confirmed that the fixture would not be played later that day or on Sunday, October 11, leaving Athletic Club’s delegation to return to Bilbao without completing their commitment.
A Season of Disruption for Athletic Club
The abandonment adds to a significantly disrupted season for Athletic Club. This marks the third time one of their first eight league commitments has seen its date changed. Earlier in the season, their match at Levante was postponed due to heavy rain and pitch conditions, eventually being rescheduled for October 21.
The lack of a confirmed replacement date for the Rayo Vallecano fixture further complicates Athletic’s schedule. The first potential opening in their calendar has been suggested as the week beginning November 2, with November 4 or 5 mentioned as possibilities. The team’s next scheduled match is an away trip to Valencia on Saturday, October 17, for the ninth round of La Liga. The ongoing postponements mean Athletic Club faces a prolonged gap between competitive matches, having last played on September 19.
Long-Standing Protests at Vallecas
The fan protests at Vallecas are not an isolated incident. Opposition to president Raúl Martín Presa has reportedly continued for years. Just a week prior to the Athletic Club fixture, during a friendly match against Cagliari, there were reports of graffiti and an attempt to enter the directors’ box, indicating a sustained period of unrest among Rayo Vallecano supporters.