A football match was abandoned on Saturday after ultras launched paper planes onto the pitch while protesting their current owners
A top flight football match was abandoned on Saturday after ultras launched paper planes onto the pitch while protesting their current owners. Rayo Vallecano were at home for the first time this season, after their stadium was found to have serious safety issues.
Rayo fans blame their owner, Raul Martin Presa, for the negligence and took the chance to voice their frustration as they welcomed Athletic Bilbao to the Estadio de Vallecas.
And with the score at 0-0 the referee was forced to stop the game 13 minutes into the match as paper planes were launched from the stands and onto the turf.
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Play had to be stopped for ten minutes as officials attempted to clear the playing surface of paper planes. And once cleared, an in-game announcement was made warning supporters about similar actions.
Rayo pair Oscar Valentín and Isi Palazon addressed the ultras, telling them to stop as their actions could get the game suspended. And once play resumed, more planes were thrown onto the pitch.
After speaking with police and both teams, the decision was made to call of the game. With Rayo confirming the decision on X: “The match is definitely suspended by the referee’s decision at the police’s recommendation.”
Bilbao added: “The match has been abandoned following further incidents of objects being thrown onto the pitch.”
In a statement La Liga said: “La Liga strongly condemns this behaviour, which endangers safety and obstructs the normal running of the competition. The new date for the match will be announced soon.”
There have been problems at the stadium this calendar year. Back in February, their clash with Real Oviedo was postponed due to concerns over player safety due to the state of the pitch.
While their match against Atletico Madrid, the following week, was moved to Butarque.