Athletic Club left waiting after Rayo Vallecano match abandoned

Rayo Vallecano’s match against Athletic Club was abruptly halted on Monday, October 12 due to persistent disruptions from supporters. Protesters, who had been throwing paper planes and small balls at the pitch since the 13th minute, brought the game to a halt once again after the referee, José María Sánchez Martínez, deemed the situation too dangerous to continue play. The teams had to leave the field after Sánchez Martínez ordered them off the pitch when the protest resumed.

This incident marks another setback for Athletic Club in a season already filled with rearranged fixtures. The club’s delegation had to return to Bilbao after LaLiga decided not to replay the match that day or on Sunday, October 11. Despite repeated attempts to restart the game, the supporters continued their disruptive behavior, leading to the match being abandoned entirely.

The protest against Athletic Club's president Raúl Martín Presa had been ongoing for years, with supporters resorting to graffiti and attempting to enter the directors' box in a previous friendly match against Cagliari. The latest demonstration, however, involved more direct interference with the ongoing match. Athletic Club, who had last played a competitive match on September 19, now faces yet another uncertain fixture in their already disrupted schedule.

The next potential opportunity for the team to play again could be as early as November 2, though no definite dates have been confirmed yet.