NEWS · 10 Oct 2026
Rayo Vallecano match abandoned after paper plane protest
The home side Rayo Vallecano abandoned a league match against Athletic Club after fans threw paper planes onto the pitch in protest of the club’s owner. The incident forced the referee to stop play and the game was left unfinished. Authorities will now decide on disciplinary measures and a potential reschedule.
The match between Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Club was scheduled to take place at Vallecano’s home ground as part of the LaLiga season. Both teams had arrived and the game had been underway when the disruption began.
During the second half, a group of home supporters began throwing paper planes onto the pitch, targeting the club’s owner as a form of protest. The flurry of paper objects quickly spread across the field, making it impossible for the players to continue safely.
Referee José Luis García was forced to stop play, and the match was officially abandoned with no result recorded. The incident left both teams without a completed game and raised questions about crowd control.
The protest highlights growing discontent among Rayo Vallecano fans with the club’s ownership, a concern that has been building over the past season. The disruption has brought the issue into the spotlight and may influence future discussions about the club’s governance.
LaLiga will review the incident and determine any disciplinary action. The league may decide to reschedule the match, impose sanctions on the club, or take other measures to address the situation. The outcome will be announced in the coming days as authorities investigate the events that led to the abandonment.