Rayo Vallecano’s La Liga home fixture against Real Oviedo on Saturday was called off just hours before kick-off due to concerns over player safety, a day after the squad publicly criticised the club’s facilities and ownership.
La Liga announced that the game at the Vallecas stadium, scheduled for 1300 GMT, would not go ahead because of the poor condition of the pitch, stressing that the decision was taken to protect the players.
“Currently, the playing surface does not offer the necessary guarantees to stage the match under safe conditions,” the league said in a statement.
According to La Liga, the club had made “significant efforts” during the week to make the game possible, including a complete replacement of the turf, but bad weather affected the work.
On Friday, Rayo’s players, supported by the coaching staff, issued a statement through the Association of Spanish Footballers, demanding improved working conditions and criticising the state of the stadium, pitch and training facilities.
The squad said the Vallecas pitch had been “clearly deficient” over the past month and did not meet the “minimum requirements” for a top-level match.
They also revealed that they were unable to train at the club’s training ground during pre-season because of the poor condition of the pitches, and called for better treatment of supporters.
Club president and owner Raul Martin Presa, a divisive figure among the fan base, has long been at odds with supporters, particularly over his plans to move the team away from their traditional Vallecas home.Rayo Vallecano, Real Oviedo match postponed over unsafe pitch conditions
Rayo Vallecano’s La Liga home fixture against Real Oviedo on Saturday was called off just hours before kick-off due to concerns over player safety, a day after the squad publicly criticised the club’s facilities and ownership.
La Liga announced that the game at the Vallecas stadium, scheduled for 1300 GMT, would not go ahead because of the poor condition of the pitch, stressing that the decision was taken to protect the players.
“Currently, the playing surface does not offer the necessary guarantees to stage the match under safe conditions,” the league said in a statement.
According to La Liga, the club had made “significant efforts” during the week to make the game possible, including a complete replacement of the turf, but bad weather affected the work.
On Friday, Rayo’s players, supported by the coaching staff, issued a statement through the Association of Spanish Footballers, demanding improved working conditions and criticising the state of the stadium, pitch and training facilities.
The squad said the Vallecas pitch had been “clearly deficient” over the past month and did not meet the “minimum requirements” for a top-level match.
They also revealed that they were unable to train at the club’s training ground during pre-season because of the poor condition of the pitches, and called for better treatment of supporters.
Club president and owner Raul Martin Presa, a divisive figure among the fan base, has long been at odds with supporters, particularly over his plans to move the team away from their traditional Vallecas home.
