The Estadio de Vallecas was vandalized ahead of Rayo Vallecano’s return home, with masked intruders destroying the palco de autoridades hours before the Trofeo de Vallecas match against Cagliari, according to multiple Spanish sports outlets.
Intruders Vandalize Estadio De Vallecas Presidential Box
Intruders broke into the Estadio de Vallecas overnight, slashing seat fabrics in the palco de autoridades and covering the furniture in red and yellow paint, as reported by Cadena SER. The stadium, serving as the club’s social headquarters, suffered extensive damage to its official seating sector just hours before the team’s first home fixture in over four months.
Cadena SER noted that the Rayo Vallecano board provided security camera footage to local law enforcement showing individuals entering the facility and vandalizing the interior. The club stated in an official announcement that a formal legal complaint would be filed with the authorities, accompanied by the surveillance recordings.
Rayo Vallecano Blames Regional Sports Authorities
Following the overnight break-in, Rayo Vallecano released a public statement harshly criticizing the regional government and specifically naming Mariano de Paco. The club’s statement questioned whether the incident reflected the “public-private collaboration” promoted by the Sports Councilor, linking the stadium damage to ongoing friction between the club and local administrative bodies.
The club’s leadership argued that the stadium damage resulted directly from a protracted dispute that began on July 28, when regional authorities suspended activity at the venue over structural audit reports. Rayo Vallecano maintained that the audit was incorrect and that the venue was reopened without the regional administration completing any of the six months of projected renovation work.
Regional Government Condemns Vandalism
Mariano de Paco, the regional minister of culture, tourism, and sport, responded to the incident via social media. The official condemned the vandalism at the Estadio de Vallecas, stating that destructive acts do not represent a valid path toward resolving infrastructure disagreements.
Regional authorities previously maintained that the initial suspension stemmed from maintenance shortcomings under club management, expressing confidence that future administrative transitions would prioritize public interest. Despite the friction, Rayo Vallecano confirmed that the Trofeo de Vallecas fixture against Italian side Cagliari proceeded as scheduled.
Match Proceeds Despite Stadium Damage
The fixture marked Rayo Vallecano’s return to their home stadium after a 140-day absence that forced the club to play initial home fixtures away from Vallecas, according to Cadena SER. Outside the venue, supporters also displayed banners demanding the resignation club president Raúl Martín Presa.
Club executives insisted that the campaign of intimidation would not deter the team from competing in the top flight, where the Vallecas side is pursuing its sixth season in Spain’s premier division. The investigation into the stadium intrusion remains active with local police authorities reviewing the club’s security footage.
