Rayo Vallecano v Real Oviedo postponed due to unplayable Vallecas pitch | OneFootball

LaLiga has postponed Rayo Vallecano v Real Oviedo because the Vallecas pitch has been left in poor condition after recent storms. The league said in a statement the decision was taken to protect players.

It said the surface did not meet safety guarantees and, despite Rayo replacing the entire turf this week, players’ integrity could not be ensured. It also cited heavy rain and the possibility of snow in Madrid on Saturday.

The match, scheduled for 14:00 on Saturday, will be moved to a date still to be confirmed. Under the regulations, a period will be opened for scheduling proposals.

The condition of the Vallecas surface has been a long-running issue, drawing repeated complaints from players and head coach Iñigo Pérez, who have described it as unfit for a top-flight club.

Initial conservative treatments failed in the penalty areas and along the flanks, which led to a full relaying of the pitch.

Separately, club president Martín Presa favours building a larger, modern stadium at a new site, while the Community of Madrid, which owns the ground, prefers refurbishing the current venue. Many Vallecas residents and Rayo supporters oppose a move, arguing the existing stadium should be improved instead.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo