Tension and vandalism overshadow Rayo Vallecano’s return to Vallecas

Rayo Vallecano’s return to Vallecas was marked by graffiti, protests, a vandalised palco and considerable tension. What was expected to be a neighbourhood “celebration” took a very different turn. The club experienced a particularly bleak day on its return to the stadium, with the mood described as tense and even sad, beneath overcast skies and steadily falling rain.

Sergio Camello used the word “celebration” after the match against Osasuna, describing how much the club, players and supporters wanted to meet again at their stadium. But the return was overshadowed by damage. Items had cuts and paint stains, and Rayo condemned the acts in an initial statement. The club attributed them to a “campaign of harassment, extortion and intimidation” against its president and his family and, by extension, the whole Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, dating from July 28.

Another text said that hooded people had tried to “storm the palco from outside the stands” and then through the main entrance. It also described some remarks made at an assembly called by Plataforma ADRV as a “breeding ground” for the events of the previous day. A banner read: “Por un Rayo despresado”. The message concluded by expressing hope that matters would be resolved “for everyone’s good”.

The club also questioned the Consejero de Deporte about public-private cooperation at Estadio de Vallecas. The Comunidad de Madrid, for its part, condemned all vandalism and said it was not the way to resolve the stadium’s problems. Supporters sat down in the second half; Raúl Martín Presa appeared to present gifts to Óscar Valentín and the Trofeo de Vallecas to Cagliari.

Rayo still has eight issues to resolve in different areas of the stadium, or its concession could be withdrawn. The defeat to Cagliari took a back seat. The next home fixture is scheduled for October 10 against Athletic Club in matchday 8 of LaLiga, with the question of whether supporters will attend already being raised.