Rayo Vallecano finally returned to its rightful home Vallecas on Saturday, Oct. 10, but the return was short-lived.
The Madrid club saw its home stadium closed by the local council for the start of the season, with the venue having been allowed to fall into an unsafe state. The club's supporters expressed their frustration with ownership at the stadium situation and other issues around the club by launching paper planes and small rubber balls at the pitch during Rayo's match with Athletic Bilbao.
By league rule, the match was abandoned after the third occasion. It will be rescheduled, though La Liga confirmed it will not be set for tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 11.
Supporters passed out cards to fans going
into the stadium with a message on one side and instructions on how to construct the paper airplane on the back.
"It's the day to protest. It's the day to show Presa. Presa is nervous. He has become a worldwide meme," the statement began. "That's why, although we are playing at Vallecas again, we can't let the waters get calm. We must keep escalating the conflict and airing their shady dealings to have many reasons to kick out Presa."
In addition to the stadium situation, fans have expressed outrage at the lack of interest in the team from owner Raul Martín Presa. The club still does not offer fans the opportunity to buy tickets online, leading to long lines on matchdays. Presa also has invited right-wing political figures to watch the traditionally left-leaning club's matches.
After whistles in the opening dozen minutes, the 13th minute saw the paper planes start to fly, with stadium workers and players clearing a portion of the field before another avalanche of the folded pamphlets was launched.
⌛ Minuto 13
— Maite Martín (@AS_MMartin) October 10, 2026
🛫 Así ha sido el lanzamiento de canicas y aviones de papel que ha provocado que se pare el partido en Vallecas
📸 @diarioas pic.twitter.com/9MKIQD5lTS
After some players spoke to supporters, they left the field for the locker rooms. Once the field was claered, players were back to warm-up, but the resumption lasted less than a minute.
"The match has been suspended by decision of the referee at the recommendation of the police," Rayo's club statement read.
The league will announce the plan for when the match will be replayed at a later date.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paper plane protest causes La Liga match to be abandoned, postponed
