LaLiga, the organising body of the top division of Spanish club football, has moved to postpone Saturday’s match between Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao after the Community of Madrid ruled that no games could take place at Rayo’s Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas until renovation work at the stadium is completed.
The 14,500-capacity stadium has been staging matches whilst redevelopment work has been taking place, but fans had raised safety concerns following Rayo’s first home match of the 2018-19 season, a 4-1 defeat to Sevilla on August 19.
LaLiga said in a statement: “The Community of Madrid, owner of Estadio de Vallecas, have informed LaLiga of their decision not to hold any sporting event with public attendance in the aforementioned stadium from September 1, 2018 until construction work is completed.
“As a result, the match between Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Club on Matchday 3 of LaLiga Santander has been postponed until an undetermined date. LaLiga will work to find a solution that suits all parties for the upcoming matches.”
Rayo has expressed its “surprise” at the Community’s decision stating its belief it had an understanding that it would be permitted to continuing hosting games at the stadium whilst work was carried out.
Rayo said in a statement: “The club is making every effort to generate the slightest disruption to the members, partners and supporters of Rayo Vallecano.”
Image: N Kirk
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