Rayo Vallecano says parts of its stadium were damaged before the Trofeo de Vallecas. Masked men later surrounded the directors' box during the match against Cagliari.
Before kickoff, damage was found inside Estadio de Vallecas. Several masked men later surrounded the directors' box during the Trofeo de Vallecas against Cagliari, while officials and guests were inside. Rayo Vallecano says it will formally report the damage on Monday.
The worst damage was in the authorities' box. Seat fabric had been torn, and several seats were marked with paint. The club also reported damage to the stadium facades.
It was a turbulent return. Cadena SER reported that Rayo returned to Vallecas after a 140-day absence. The Trofeo de Vallecas against Cagliari went ahead despite the reported damage at the stadium.
Rayo Vallecano linked the attack to what it calls a campaign of harassment and intimidation, which the club says includes extortion targeting its president, Raúl Martín Presa, and his family. The club says the campaign has continued since 28 July, when the Comunidad de Madrid suspended activity at the stadium.
The club also challenged Mariano de Paco, the Consejero de Deporte, over the proposed public-private cooperation for Estadio de Vallecas. Rayo accused public servants of maintaining ties with ultra groups. These are the club's allegations and the basic political charge in its statement.
The match still went ahead. Rayo Vallecano said the Comunidad de Madrid carried out zero works at the stadium during the summer, despite references to a possible six-month construction period. The club said it had fully complied with the applicable regulations. It also challenged the audit report used to justify the suspension. Marca reported that the Comunidad de Madrid lifted the suspension on the stadium's use on the 14th. Regional authorities had closed Vallecas on 28 July over safety and maintenance concerns; the dispute later expanded to discussions about possible public-private management of the ground.
The dispute now involves physical evidence from inside the stadium. Rayo says it has security camera footage and records of the damaged seats and painted surfaces. AS and Cadena SER reported that the recordings had been given to police or would be included with the formal complaint. Infobae also reported on the recordings.
The club says the authorities have already been informed. It expects a diligent response to what it calls an unacceptable assault on its social headquarters.
Rayo's return to its own ground also carried sporting meaning. The Trofeo de Vallecas was played again after seven years. The club called it a source of pride for the neighbourhood as it began its campaign to secure a sixth consecutive season of top-flight survival.
The club described the stadium attack as part of a wider conflict. Rayo Vallecano said threats had also included vandalism against the statue of the oso y el madroño during the same week.
An earlier Madrid report shows how disputes involving public authorities can quickly take on a national political dimension. The two cases concern different issues.
The available facts do not show who carried out the vandalism or what action authorities will take. Rayo has put forward its evidence and accusations.
