Rayo Vallecano get stadium ban after fan protest halts Athletic Club clash

The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee ruled on Wednesday that Rayo must close the south stand for their next home league fixture against Elche on October 24.

The committee also warned that further incidents could lead to the closure of the entire stadium.

Saturday's match in Vallecas was stopped after just 13 minutes as fans threw paper planes and rubber balls onto the pitch in protest against club owner Raul Martin Presa. LaLiga have yet to confirm when the abandoned fixture will resume.

Tensions between Presa and supporters have increased over concerns about the condition of the club's facilities. In February, Rayo's players and coaching staff raised concerns about their training complex and home pitch, saying they were not fit for purpose.

The dispute escalated when Madrid's regional government suspended the club's use of Vallecas stadium over safety concerns. Rayo were forced to play their first three LaLiga home matches of the season at alternative venues.

The club disputed claims that the stadium was unsafe, insisting that technical inspections and two audits had confirmed it met the required safety and public-health standards.

Presa also defended the venue last month, telling Cadena Cope that Vallecas was in "optimal condition" and that supporters were not at risk.

Following Saturday's disruption, Rayo said they would identify and punish those responsible, accusing the group behind the protest of conducting a sustained campaign against the club.

Rayo are 13th in La Liga with eight points and will look to return their attention to football when they travel to face Getafe on Monday.