‘Point of no return’ – LaLiga club barred indefinitely from own stadium over fears supporters risk catching disease

A LALIGA club has been shockingly barred indefinitely from their own stadium. The LaLiga stadium has been closed over fears that supporters risk catching a disease. Inside Estadio de Vallecas prior to the Conference League match between Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg Credit: Getty Vallecas Stadium prior to the Conference League Quarter-Final between Rayo and AEK Athens Credit: Getty Rayo Vallecano have been forced out of Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid, Spain. It comes after significant worries that supporters could contract Legionnaires’ disease. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! This is a severe form of pneumonia that is caused by inhaling water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. The Spanish club rent the 14,708-capacity Vallecas Stadium from the Madrid government. However, their licence to host games has been suspended following an audit. This highlighted significant health and safety concerns including a risk of fires because of rubbish around the stadium and electrical faults. It follows pictures and videos being shared online of rubbish bags and debris piled up inside the stadium. Madrid’s regional head of sport, culture and tourism Mariano ⁠de Paco noted that Rayo failed to comply with maintenance requests. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS “We’ve tried to get this back on track but we’ve reached a point of no return – the lack of maintenance has been certified,” De Paco said to reporters. “The club wasn’t complying so authorities had ​to take action. What has happened is intolerable.” Rayo reached last season’s Conference League final, losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace. They then released plans for a major upgrade at Vallecas Stadium last month. There are now less than three weeks remaining until the start of the 2026-27 LaLiga campaign. Rayo are due to open their season away against Sevilla on Saturday, August 15. They are then set to host Alaves at Vallecas Stadium on Thursday, August 20. No alternative venue has been confirmed if Vallecas Stadium remains out of action. Comment now