Vandals destroy seats in Rayo Vallecano box before return to Vallecas
Intruders broke into the Estadio de Vallecas overnight to vandalize the presidential box, prompting Rayo Vallecano to accuse regional authorities of fostering hostility against club president Raúl Martín Presa.
Vandalism in the presidential box
Estadio de Vallecas was broken into during the early hours of Saturday, 3 October 2026, hours before Rayo Vallecano hosted Italian club Cagliari in the Trofeo de Vallecas. Intruders entered the facility and vandalized the presidential box, slashing and damaging seats while painting slogans demanding the resignation of club president Raúl Martín Presa, including phrases such as "Presa vete ya". Rayo Vallecano announced that it reported the break-in to law enforcement and will submit a formal complaint on Monday accompanied by video recorded by venue security cameras. Club officials described the incident as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment, extortion, and intimidation against Presa and his family.
Dispute over stadium concession
The damage occurred during prolonged friction between Rayo Vallecano and the regional government of the Comunidad de Madrid regarding the maintenance and structural condition of the venue. Regional authorities initiated an audit in October that identified deficiencies in safety, health, and maintenance across the stadium. On 28 July 2026, the regional administration issued an order to terminate the facility concession and enacted a precautionary suspension, preventing the club from using its home ground for 140 days following its match on 17 May 2026.
- Rayo Vallecano plays its last match at the stadium before the 140-day absence
- Regional government suspends the stadium concession over safety deficiencies
- Comunidad de Madrid lifts the precautionary suspension on the stadium
- Presidential box vandalized overnight before the match against Cagliari
The regional government lifted the precautionary closure on 14 September 2026, allowing the club to return for the Cagliari fixture. Following the vandalism, Rayo Vallecano published photographs of the destroyed seats and criticized regional Sports Councillor Mariano de Paco, questioning whether the incident reflected the regional administration's concept of public-private cooperation and accusing public servants of tolerating ultra groups.
From the Community of Madrid we condemn any type of act of vandalism at the Estadio de Vallecas. This is not the way to resolve the stadium's problems.
Two days before the match, De Paco stated in the regional assembly that Presa intended to relocate the club to state-owned ADIF land in another sector of the Vallecas district. Rayo Vallecano also criticized regional authorities for failing to perform renovation works on the facility during the summer break.
Protests during the return fixture
The match against Cagliari marked the revival of the Trofeo de Vallecas after a seven-year hiatus, registering an attendance of 4,462 spectators. Tensions remained high outside the presidential box, where supporters displayed banners stating "Presa, fuera de Vallecas", "Aquí hay alguien que sobra", and "Por un Rayo... despresado". Demonstrators gathered around the box before kickoff, chanting "Rayo sí, Presa no" and calling the president a coward when he did not appear at the scheduled start.
Presa remained away from the presidential box throughout the first half, taking his seat only during the second period. On the pitch, the match concluded in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes before Cagliari won the exhibition in a penalty shootout. Presa walked onto the pitch after the shootout to present the trophy to the visiting Italian team amid continuing verbal hostility from the stands. Rayo Vallecano will host its next fixture at the stadium on Saturday at 14:00 against Athletic Club.
