The LaLiga match scheduled for Saturday between Rayo Vallecano and Real Oviedo has been postponed due to concerns about player safety stemming from the condition of the pitch, as announced by the league.
Rayo had laid a new pitch at Vallecas Stadium earlier this week, but heavy rainfall in Madrid over the last few days “has hindered the pitch from achieving the necessary optimal condition,” according to the league.
“Currently, the field does not fulfill the required safety standards for hosting the match,” the league stated, adding that the decision was made “to ensure the physical well-being of the players.”
Both teams are grappling with relegation issues, with Oviedo languishing at the bottom of the LaLiga standings with 16 points, while Rayo sits in 18th place with 22 points.
Last week, Oviedo managed to secure their first win in 15 league matches, triumphing over Girona with a score of 1-0.
A new date for the rescheduled match has yet to be announced.
“It should be highlighted that Rayo Vallecano made considerable efforts, including a complete pitch replacement, to enable the match to go ahead as scheduled,” LaLiga commented. “However, adverse weather conditions during the installation process, coupled with the forecast of ongoing rain, have prevented the pitch from achieving the necessary optimal condition.”
“Both the club and LaLiga have utilized all available resources to explore every possibility of playing the match until the last moment. Nonetheless, the state of the pitch and today’s forecast, which includes further rainfall, make it impossible to ensure player safety.”
On Friday, Rayo’s players and coaching staff released a statement through the players’ union AFE, expressing concerns regarding the condition of the pitch, stadium, and training facilities.
Sources close to the team indicated to ESPN that there were strong doubts about whether Saturday’s match would proceed.
“In the past month, the condition of the pitch in Vallecas has been clearly inadequate,” the statement asserted. “We believe the pitch does not meet the minimum standards for a top-level game.”
Visitors Oviedo—who, along with many supporters, had traveled to Madrid for the match—issued a statement on Saturday expressing their “solidarity and empathy with Rayo’s squad, coaching staff, and fans,” while also criticizing Rayo’s management of the situation.
“Real Oviedo expresses its profound dissatisfaction with this significant disruption that directly impacts our team, especially considering our league position and the critical points at stake,” the club said. “We will examine and pursue all appropriate actions with the relevant authorities to uphold the integrity of the match results.”
“The dynamics of playing this match today versus two weeks from now are not the same,” said Oviedo’s director general, Roberto Suarez. “Given our recent form and that of other teams… Whether we go down or stay up will not hinge on this. However, it is an important matter. We feel we are not being treated equitably compared to other teams in the league.”