Rayo handed partial Vallecas closure and €6,000 fine

The sanction against Rayo became known on Wednesday: the club must partially close Vallecas and pay a €6,000 fine. It follows incidents involving supporters during last Saturday’s “non-match” against Athletic. The response to those events is therefore a limited stadium closure and a financial penalty.

Whether the measure will deter a repeat remains an open question. Preventing such incidents from happening again is one of the main aims of a judicial decision. Yet, given the sanction announced, it is difficult to be convinced that it will be enough to achieve that aim. The penalty may appear modest in relation to the events that prompted it, leaving the possibility of a recurrence at the heart of the debate.

Rayo’s next fixture at its stadium is scheduled against Elche on the 24th of this month. The stand behind the goal will be closed for that match. But that measure alone cannot ensure that further incidents will be avoided. The question will therefore arise at Rayo’s next home game: will closing that section be enough to prevent a similar situation?

Areso also spoke at Lezama.