Rayo Vallecano have condemned the damage to the presidential box at Vallecas after the stadium was vandalised on the eve of the clubâs return to their historic home.
The seats in the box were painted and damaged, while graffiti reading âPresa, vete yaâ was left at the ground. The incident came as Rayo prepared to host the Trofeo Vallecas, their first match at the stadium in 140 days.
AS reported that the club responded with a strongly worded statement aimed at the Community of Madrid, questioning whether the incident reflected the regional governmentâs idea of public-private cooperation over the stadium.
âAre these the public-private collaboration that the Sports Minister wants for the Vallecas Stadium?â Rayo asked, arguing that the images were âthe obvious consequence of the hatred that has been sownâ.
The club also used the vandalism to renew its criticism of the handling of the stadiumâs reopening. Rayo said the Community had carried out âa total of zero worksâ during the summer, despite previously discussing a possible six-month programme of work.
Rayo further claimed it had demonstrated full compliance with the relevant regulations and had challenged what it described as an âegregiously incorrectâ audit report that had been used to justify suspending the stadium concession.
âThese are the consequences when public servants collaborate and coexist with ultra groups,â the club said.
Rayo confirmed that the Trofeo Vallecas would go ahead as planned and said the incident had already been reported to the authorities. It added that a formal complaint would be filed on Monday, supported by images from the stadiumâs security cameras.
The Community of Madrid condemned the vandalism. Culture, Tourism and Sport minister Mariano de Paco said such behaviour was unacceptable and argued that it was not the way to resolve the problems surrounding the stadium. He also rejected the idea that vandalism could help settle the wider dispute.