Rayo Vallecano to move stadium over Legionnaires risk

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Rayo Vallecano have been stopped from staging matches at Estadio de Vallecas indefinitely, less than three weeks before the new La Liga season. The Madrid club, which rents the ground from the regional government, has had its match licence suspended after an audit identified major health and safety concerns, including the possible risk of Legionnaires’ disease among supporters.

According to the BBC, the regional government report pointed to accumulated rubbish and debris inside parts of the stadium, electrical problems and potential fire risks. Photos published by the Madrid authorities and verified by Reuters showed refuse bags and other material in areas including a concourse and canteen. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection linked to breathing in water droplets containing the bacteria that cause it.

Mariano de Paco, Madrid’s regional head of sport, culture and tourism, said urgent works would start immediately and could last from two to six months. He said the club had not met requests to complete maintenance or demonstrate water quality, and added that he had been unable to contact Rayo president Raul Martin Presa. No replacement venue for home fixtures has yet been announced.

The decision adds to long-running concerns about facilities at Vallecas, La Liga’s smallest stadium. BBC Sport noted previous complaints about the pitch, showers, cleaning, training-ground mould and the absence of an online ticketing system. Rayo’s first scheduled home league match is against Alaves on 20 August, and recent season-ticket terms appear to allow relocation if games cannot be played at Vallecas.