Rayo v Atlético Madrid: police, mariachis, ticket row and Iñigo Pérez anger | OneFootball

The Madrid derby between Rayo Vallecano and Atlético has a fraught build-up, with Sunday’s 16:15 kick-off moved to Butarque after LaLiga inspectors deemed the Vallecas pitch unfit.

On Saturday, mariachis hired anonymously targeted president Raúl Martín Presa at the training base before security halted them. The club said in a statement that police declared the game high risk and limited sales to season-ticket holders.

Rayo wanted to play in Vallecas after fresh work following the postponement against Real Oviedo on Saturday 7 February. Inspectors ruled otherwise, so the back-up became the plan, and the Oviedo matchday 23 game is now Wednesday 4 March at 19:00.

Head coach Iñigo Pérez, speaking at 9:30 on Saturday, said the Oviedo call-off was correct but felt this derby could have been played in Vallecas. He questioned a Thursday suspension for a Sunday match and said another test was possible, with logistics cited as Rayo lost out. The club filed a precautionary appeal seeking a late change.

Sections of the fanbase urged a boycott of Butarque, distributing leaflets that also criticised season-ticket price rises and a plan to move the stadium from the neighbourhood. Around 4,000 tickets were expected to be taken up, roughly 30% of passes. Vallecas holds 14,708, Leganés 12,454.

Social media flagged resales between 70 and 100 euros. Rayo do not sell tickets online, yet touting persists even in a process restricted to more than 12,000 season-ticket holders and a two-year waiting list. The fanbase remains defiant.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo