Suspension at Vallecas brings another scare for Athletic

The season has only just begun, but Athletic faced another scare on Saturday at Vallecas: the match there was suspended after protests targeting Rayo president Raúl Martín Presa and his board. Supporters had already staged demonstrations on several occasions over the years. What had not been anticipated this time was that events would lead to the match being halted.

The game began amid chants and banners directed against Raúl Martín Presa. Then, from behind the goal occupied by Unai Simón, spectators threw small balls and paper aeroplanes onto the pitch. The message printed on the planes indicated that the action had been planned in advance.

The previous week, incidents had already taken place during a friendly against Cagliari: graffiti had been painted and there had been an attempt to enter the presidential box. But the suspension at Vallecas marked a further turn of events. After LaLiga decided that the match would not resume a few hours later or the following day, Athletic’s travelling party returned to Bilbao.

The suspension at Vallecas is the latest since the season began a month and a half earlier. It also leaves Athletic facing a lengthy spell without competition: the club is set to go almost a month without playing, partly because of a long international break.