Athletic Bilbao's LaLiga fixture at Rayo Vallecano was abandoned on Saturday after three stoppages caused by fan protests. The match, which was goalless, was suspended definitively by referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez on the advice of police following a third interruption.
The first halt came in the 13th minute when Rayo fans threw paper planes and small rubber balls onto the pitch from all three sides of the Estadio de Vallecas. The stadium announcer warned the game would be suspended if protests continued, and play resumed in the 24th minute. It was stopped again shortly after, forcing players and officials to leave the field. After a ten-minute warm-up, the match was halted for a third time mere seconds after restarting, prompting the referee to consult with police and club officials on the pitch before calling off the game.
Protests against the ownership
Chants from the crowd, particularly from the stand housing the Bukaneros ultras, were directed at Rayo president Raúl Martín Presa, with scarves displaying the message 'Presa, leave now'. Rayo players Óscar Valentín and Isi Palazón were seen speaking with members of this fan group. This match marked Rayo's return to their Vallecas home after being forced to play their first three home games in Leganés due to the local government revoking the stadium's license over safety concerns, including a potential Legionnaires' disease risk identified in an audit. Most fans had boycotted those games in Leganés.
Following the abandonment, Athletic Bilbao said it would contact traveling supporters to arrange refunds. The Basque club, sitting 10th in LaLiga with 8 points from six games, now faces a busy schedule. Their next fixture is an away trip to face 19th-placed Valencia on October 17.
The suspension leaves Athletic with a game in hand in a season of mixed form, their recent run reading one win, three draws and one loss from their last five matches. The fixture against Rayo is expected to be replayed at a later date. Rayo announced the suspension via a social media post, which was met with applause from their home supporters.
The report in full is at Sportsnet Soccer
