Paper Planes and Passion: Rayo Vallecano Fans Make Their Voices Heard

Rayo Vallecano's much-anticipated return to Vallecas was abruptly interrupted just 13 minutes in, as fans made their frustrations with club president Raúl Martín Presa impossible to ignore. After 147 days away from home, the players stepped onto the pitch for a competitive match, only to find themselves walking off again less than 25 minutes later. During that brief time, a flurry of paper planes landed on the field, a symbolic protest that conveyed a message loud and clear: enough is enough. The last league match at Vallecas was a win against Villarreal back in May, but since then, the club has faced a whirlwind of turmoil. Rayo Vallecano, the little club that could, made a European final appearance, yet significant changes loomed. Manager Iñigo Pérez moved on, and captain Óscar Trejo, disillusioned by treatment of staff, retired, leaving behind a massive graffiti tribute in the barrio. In late July, the Madrid government halted the agreement for the club to use the ground, demanding an annual payment of €81,784. With the new season kicking off, Rayo's president expressed his outrage at local authorities, accusing them of dooming the club to relegation. Yet, when reports cited the ground as unsafe, fans felt vindicated; they had been raising concerns for years. Their anger was squarely directed at Presa, a figure they believe has led them into a dire situation, and they chanted in unison for him to step down. Players had already raised alarms last season about poor conditions, leading to training sessions held elsewhere, and as the new season began, the trend continued. After three away games at Leganés, where fan turnout was dismal, returning home felt like a long-awaited reunion. Despite their temporary home being mostly empty, Rayo managed to scrape together some decent results, including a victory against Atlético. But this was always about more than just football; as striker Sergio Camello noted, it’s about the club’s identity and values. And on this sunny Saturday, fans were ready to make a statement. They had chosen a fitting opponent in Athletic Club, whose supporters joined them in solidarity, filling the bars and streets around the stadium with songs and camaraderie. From the get-go, the protest was on the agenda; what they didn’t foresee was how dramatically it would unfold. Green stickers proclaiming “SOS Rayo Vallecano” adorned the stadium, and Presa’s likeness, complete with Mickey Mouse ears, appeared on walls and scarves. Fans distributed colorful plastic balls and flyers outlining their grievances, declaring it a day of protest. The plan was simple: at the 13th minute, everyone was to chant “Presa, go now!” and launch their paper planes onto the pitch. As fate would have it, an Athletic corner kick arrived just in time to coincide with the protest. At the 13-minute mark, a chorus of whistles erupted, and with it, a cascade of paper planes soared through the air from all stands. The referee, José María Sánchez Martínez, halted the game, bemused but seemingly unfazed. Alongside the paper planes, small plastic balls bounced onto the field, while a banner proclaimed that the ball was now in Presa's court—a symbolic nod to the club's struggles. Ballboys rushed to clear the field, cheered on by fans, while players engaged in light banter among themselves. After an eight-minute pause, the match resumed, but not before the planes made another appearance during an Athletic corner. With the clock ticking, the referee had no choice but to send the teams down the tunnel as chants of “Presa, go now!” echoed throughout the stands. In total, they were out for nearly 25 minutes, but the message was sent loud and clear. While conversations buzzed in the narrow corridors beneath the stand, supporters enjoyed sandwiches meant for halftime under the sun. Eventually, an announcement was made: they would restart in 20 minutes, but with a stern warning—any further disruptions would lead to abandonment of the match.