# Rayo Vallecano protest > Rayo Vallecano fans throw paper planes to force match abandonment against Athletic Bilbao. - Title: Rayo Vallecano protest · the Guardian | Shortify - Summary: Rayo Vallecano fans throw paper planes to force match abandonment against Athletic Bilbao. Rayo Vallecano fans protested their club chair Raúl Martín Presa… - Keywords: rayo vallecano, raul martin presa, athletic bilbao, la liga, paper planes, protest, match abandonment, vallecas, sports, Rayo, Vallecano, the Guardian - Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/12/rayo-vallecano-paper-planes-abandoned-raul-martin-presa-la-liga - Published: 2026-10-12T16:12:01+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: rayo vallecano, raul martin presa, athletic bilbao, la liga, paper planes, protest, match abandonment, vallecas, sports ## Fans protest chair Rayo Vallecano fans throw paper planes in protest against their club chair Raúl Martín Presa during match with Athletic Club. > Fans of Rayo Vallecano throw paper planes in protest against their club’s chair, Raúl Martín Presa, during the match against Athletic Club, which was eventually abandoned ## Match abandoned The match was abandoned after 13 minutes of protest with fans throwing paper planes. > The match was abandoned after 13 minutes of protest with fans throwing paper planes ## Club crisis Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues. > Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues ## Chair’s response Raúl Martín Presa accused the council of condemning the club to segunda after suspension of ground agreement. > Rayo’s president, Raúl Martín Presa, said he was furious with the council, locking the gates to keep their technicians out and accusing them of condemning the club to segunda ## Ground conditions The ground was described as unsafe and unhealthy by the report, but fans had long known this. > The ground’s upkeep was the tenants’ responsibility but, like so much else, it had been abandoned, left to ruin ## Protest planning Fans planned a protest with paper planes, flyers, and stickers to pressure Presa to leave. > On surfaces all around the stadium, green stickers proclaimed “SOS Rayo Vallecano” ## Protest execution Fans threw paper planes during the match, leading to referee stopping play after 24 minutes and 56 seconds. > The whistles started bang on the 13th minute and so did the planes, swooping in from all three stands ## Referee decision Referee José María Sánchez Martínez stopped the match after 24 minutes and 56 seconds, citing unsafe conditions. > The referee, José María Sánchez Martínez, stopped the game and shrugged ## Post-protest Fans and players left the field after the protest, with Athletic players joining supporters in the bars. > Athletic’s players went to their fans in the far corner, then back towards Rayo’s supporters, who chanted: “Athletic! Athletic!” ## Next steps The match was to be replayed after negotiations, but Athletic wanted to return the following morning. > Athletic wanted to return the following morning but that was rejected and so at 4.23pm on Saturday their bus pulled out for Barajas ## Supporters’ call Rayo supporters called the situation 'the inevitable consequence of exhaustion, frustration and anger'. > Rayo’s supporters’ association called this 'the inevitable consequence of exhaustion, frustration and anger' ## Captain’s statement Captain Óscar Valentín called the protest necessary and demanded action to address fan discontent. > An unsustainable situation has reached its limit ## Club’s crisis Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues. > Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues ## What happens next The match will be replayed after negotiations, but Athletic’s request to return the following morning was rejected. > Athletic wanted to return the following morning but that was rejected and so at 4.23pm on Saturday their bus pulled out for Barajas ## Key takeaway Rayo Vallecano fans protested their club chair Raúl Martín Presa by throwing paper planes, leading to the match with Athletic Bilbao being abandoned after 13 minutes.