Rayo Vallecano forced to shorten pitch and remove tribute banner for Conference League | OneFootball

Rayo Vallecano are taking on Shkendija in their first ever Conference League game, and their second ever foray into European competition on Thursday evening. It has caused some changes to their famed Vallecas home.

Already known for having one of the smaller pitches in La Liga, with the stands close to the touchline creating a close and noisy atmosphere, UEFA regulations have forced Rayo to alter their pitch. Each touchline must be a minimum of three metres from the stands.

It has required Rayo to slice around three metres of width from the sides of their pitch, with 130cm being taken in from each side. This is clearly visible with Rayo deciding to spray green over the previous lines, before painting fresh white lines taken in. It leaves the width of the pitch at 64m, the minimum required for a professional game, as per Cadena Cope.

Commemorative banner removed for UEFA branding

With one of the sides behind the goal backed onto a large fence, Rayo have also been forced to cover up the giant commemorative banner that loomd above it. ‘Always in our memory’ reads the giant tarpaulin, referencing the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Image via Marca

It was covered by UEFA’s own branding. As reported by Marca, the usual banner is expected to return for their La Liga commitments.

Concern over visit of ultra groups

There was some concern over the visit of Shkendija’s ‘Ballistet’ ultra group who brought around 200 fans to Madrid. There is no separate away section, but the game at least has gone off without a hitch.

Like Ballistet, future visitors Lech Poznan’s ‘Terror Machine’ supporters are notoriously far-right, and with Rayo fans equally known for left-wing leanings, the authorities are concerned about potential trouble. Against Shkendija, Rayo’s fans entoned several versions of their song that ends with the shout ‘Fascists, get out of my neighbourhood’.