Real Oviedo has decided to deny Rayo Vallecano fans tickets to this Sunday's La Liga game. Instead of Rayo fans, the away section is supposed to be filled with supporters of the Asturian team. However, Oviedo supporters' clubs criticise the decision.

An eye for an eye

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Real Oviedo will not open the visitors' section of Estadio Carlos Tartiere for Rayo Vallecano fans on Sunday. The reason?There will be no visitors' section for Oviedo fans in the return match at Estadio de Vallecas.

Following the renovations carried out over the summer, Rayo Vallecano’s stadium no longer has a visitors' section. The only things needed to open it are a fence separating the two sets of supporters and a toilet with access only for visitors, but installing them will take... nine months.

Thus, according to Oviedo's decision, this Sunday the sector will be occupied by their own fans. Those who have an Oviedo membership card will be able to occupy one of the 675 seats for only €30. The Asturian club assures that it has always defended and promoted the presence of visiting fans in its stadium, but on this occasion, it is necessary to prioritise that our fans have the same treatment that other clubs offer their fans when they travel.

© Jsmq | The Tartiere has a capacity of 30,361 fans, 675 of whom are in the visitors' section.

An unexpected ally

We can understand, although we do not agree with, Real Oviedo's decision, responded Rayo Supporters' Federation, pointing to the president of the Vallecas club, Raúl Martín Presa, as the culprit for the situation. We want the problem with the away stand at the Vallecas stadium to be resolved as soon as possible so that we can support our team in all stadiums, they demand.

We ask all the clubs we have yet to visit to be understanding and agree to give us a quota of tickets, as they do with other supporters, plead the Rayo supporters' clubs.

Following this announcement, the Real Oviedo Supporters' Association issued a statement that was much harsher on its own board than the Vallecas supporters' clubs. We express our categorical rejection of the decision taken by our club, it begins emphatically.

We demand that this be rectified immediately and that tickets be made available to Rayo Vallecano fans, who are not responsible for the decisions made by their managers. We do not accept that, once again, in conflicts between clubs and their leaders, it is the fans who end up paying the price, conclude the Oviedo fans. It remains to be seen whether their voice will be heard.