Rayo Vallecano's players earned in the last round the right to play in the European cups, giving fans a reason to celebrate and the club's authorities - a tough problem to solve. The state of their stadium has already threatened to shut it down this year, leaving Vallecas' Conference League matches in doubt.

A problem won in the last round

A miracle. That's how Rayo Vallecano's achievements can be described in the now-concluded 24/25 season, during which the club celebrated its centenary. Despite the fact that their squad was 18th in terms of player value, the team managed, for the first time in their history, to reach a position that would allow them to play in the European cups, as the 8th place in the table earned thanks to a draw against Mallorca (0:0) in the last round gave them a ticket to the Conference League play-offs.

But two minutes after the final whistle, when the news of Osasuna's favourable result for Rayo reached Vallecas, along with the euphoria in the stands and on the pitch - fans ran onto the playing field to celebrate with the players - a problem arose: Estadio de Vallecas might not pass the UEFA inspection. It is not even a question of meeting the requirements for Category 4, which allows all matches up to the semi-finals to be played at the stadium, but the technical condition of the venue.

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The European federation has the right to inspect tournament stadiums, and the sight it will find at the Estadio de Vallecas will certainly not be very pleasant. The stadium has been in a deteriorating state for many years: dirty, full of rubbish, with cracks in the walls and full of moisture. The ongoing renovation, or rather cleaning and repairing of the facility is supposed to help, but the club's president, Raul Martin Presa, has stated that while he hopes UEFA will allow the stadium to play in the tournament, every game played in this stadium is a miracle.

Searching for a culprit

Presa accused the government of the Madrid Autonomous Community - which owns the stadium - of the current situation, stating that economically they are the least supported team in professional football in Spain. The president has been arguing for years for the need to change the stadium, hoping for the support of the authorities. However, the government, after initially supporting Presa's plans, decided - in line with the wishes of the vast majority of Rayo supporters - to invest in modernising the stadium.

Most supporters, however, accuse Raul Martin Presa, who does not have a good reputation in Vallecas, of the poor state of the stadium. They accuse him of deliberately not picking up rubbish and not cleaning the toilets or even bird droppings. Rayo is also the only professional club in Spain that does not allow tickets to be bought online, something fans have been asking for for years. Particular resistance from Rayistas has, however, been aroused by plans to build a new stadium. Many fear that, contrary to the president's announcements, it will not be built in Vallecas as there is no space for a new venue there.

© Groundhopping.se | Rayo Vallecano is a rarity in Spanish football, as the club does not identify with the city, but only with one of its districts – Vallecas.

Europe or a stadium in Vallecas?

And for most fans, a Rayo Vallecano outside of Vallecas is not Rayo. Even before the decisive match against Mallorca, Marca conducted a poll among fans, asking the question "Would you rather Rayo play in European cups or stay in this stadium"? Although a few pointed to the continental competitions, many chose the stadium. "Rayo is not Rayo without this stadium," said one supporter. "This stadium creates the identity of this neighbourhood. The stadium is above all," chose the second.

It is now a certainty that Rayo will at least play in the European cup play-offs. Whether they will do so in Vallecas is an open question.