Madrid region refuses to reopen Vallecas until an external audit confirms it is safe

Vallecas stadium will remain closed. Mariano de Paco, Madrid's regional minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, has said that Rayo Vallecano's ground will not reopen until an external audit verifies that it meets the safety and health conditions required to host fans. The decision keeps the club away from home and rules out any immediate return.

• The regional government demands an external audit declaring the stadium safe and healthy before reopening it.
• Madrid authorities accuse Rayo of taking more than 50 days to respond to requests for documentation.
• Rayo vice-president José María Sardá claimed the team could already play at Vallecas.
• Rayo's next home match will not be played at their usual stadium either.
• Butarque, home of Leganés, remains the temporary venue for the club's home games.

Madrid regional government keeps Vallecas shut over safety concerns

Speaking at the presentation of the Autumn Festival, Mariano de Paco responded to the comments made by Rayo's vice-president and made the regional government's position clear. The priority, he explained, is to protect spectators and everyone who uses the venue. That is why the stadium will not open until an external audit confirms that it is safe and that it meets health requirements.

The minister stressed that the administrative procedure is still ongoing and is being handled with complete caution and respect for the law. The regional government closed the facilities after receiving an audit that warned they did not offer the necessary guarantees. Since then, any return to Vallecas depends on a favourable independent report.

The dispute between Rayo and Madrid authorities over documentation delays

De Paco criticised the club for spending more than a month, specifically more than 50 days, without responding to the administration's requests. According to the minister, Rayo itself lost that time by failing to provide the documentation needed to prove the condition of the facilities. The regional government believes that delay slowed down the entire process.

Rayo vice-president José María Sardá had claimed that the team could already play at Vallecas without any problem. However, the regional government has a different view: the stadium will not reopen until an external auditor confirms that the ground is safe for people and meets health standards. The disagreement has increased tension between both sides.

Which home matches Rayo will miss at their own stadium

The club's first home match in LaLiga EA Sports was already played at Butarque, Leganés' ground, against Alavés. Rayo's next home game, this weekend against Racing de Santander, will take place at the same venue. De Paco confirmed that the next match will also not be played at Vallecas.

The regional minister said he hopes the team can return to their home ground as soon as possible. Still, he insisted that safety comes before any fixture schedule. Unless the external audit says otherwise, Rayo will have to keep competing away from their neighbourhood.

What Madrid authorities demand before reopening Vallecas

The requirement is twofold: an independent report must certify that the stadium is safe for people and that health conditions are adequate. Until that document exists, the regional government will not authorise fans to return to Vallecas. The club's word or an internal inspection is not enough.

The procedure to revoke the stadium's authorisation is still in progress, according to De Paco. The regional government says it acted with extreme caution when it closed the ground after receiving an audit that flagged problems. The message from Madrid authorities is clear: they want Rayo to return home, but only when it is safe to do so.

Frequently asked questions about the Vallecas stadium closure