Rayo Vallecano’s match against Real Oviedo delayed due to unsafe pitch conditions caused by rain.
The LaLiga match scheduled for Saturday between Rayo Vallecano and Real Oviedo has been postponed, as announced by the league, due to concerns regarding player safety stemming from the condition of the pitch.
This week, Rayo had laid down a new playing surface at their Vallecas Stadium, but the league indicated that recent heavy rainfall in Madrid “had hindered the pitch from achieving the necessary optimal condition.”
“Currently, the field does not fulfill the required guarantees for conducting the match under safe circumstances,” the league stated, noting that the decision was made “to ensure the physical safety of the players.”
Both teams are engaged in a relegation struggle, with Oviedo at the bottom of the LaLiga standings with 16 points, while Rayo occupies the 18th position with 22 points.
Last week, Oviedo secured their first victory in 15 league matches by defeating Girona 1-0.
A new date for the match has yet to be established.
“It is important to highlight that Rayo Vallecano made considerable efforts, executing a complete pitch replacement, to facilitate the match proceeding as scheduled,” LaLiga remarked. “However, adverse weather conditions during the work, along with forecasts for ongoing rain in the upcoming hours, have prevented the pitch from attaining the necessary optimal condition.”
“Both the club and LaLiga have utilized all available resources to explore every possibility for playing the match until the very last moment. Nevertheless, the state of the pitch and today’s forecast, with continued rain, render it impossible to ensure the players’ safety.”
On Friday, Rayo’s players and coaching staff released a statement through the players’ union AFE, expressing concerns regarding the condition of the pitch, stadium, and their training facility.
At that time, sources close to the dressing room informed ESPN that there were significant uncertainties about whether Saturday’s match would proceed.
“In the past month, the condition of the pitch in Vallecas has been evidently inadequate,” the statement noted. “We believe the pitch does not satisfy the minimum requirements to host a top-level match.”
– LaLiga table
Visitors Oviedo — who, along with numerous fans, had already traveled to Madrid for Saturday’s match — issued a statement on Saturday expressing that they “showed solidarity and empathy with Rayo’s squad, coaching staff, and supporters,” while also criticizing Rayo’s management of the situation.
“Real Oviedo conveys its profound dissatisfaction with this significant setback and considerable disruption to player availability, which directly impacts our team, given our league standing and the importance of the points at stake,” the club stated. “The club will evaluate and pursue all appropriate actions with the relevant authorities to protect the game’s outcome.”
“Playing this match today, or in two weeks, is not the same,” said Oviedo director general Roberto Suarez. “Considering our recent form, along with that of other teams… We won’t be relegated or remain in the league because of this. However, it is a critical situation. We feel we are not being treated like other teams in the league.”
