Sardá (Rayo) says the game could have been played at Vallecas

José María Sardá, Rayo Vallecano’s vice-president, explained on Movistar LaLiga how the club ended up having to play their latest away match against Espanyol after the regional authorities lifted the suspension affecting Vallecas.

Vallecas could have hosted it

Sardá argued that the game could, in their view, have been played at the stadium. As he put it, “we could have played it in Vallecas,” even if “the ruling arrived yesterday afternoon and there wasn’t time.” He said the club had been told earlier that the notice had been received: “we had knowledge that that notice had been received on Friday,” but that the Consejería initially said “no,” and only after they confirmed it was received on Monday did they give “the green light” later that day. He added, “We haven’t lied; things were going as they were.”

On the pitch, he said it was “in conditions to play,” but because they were not informed in time, they started the switch “from summer grass to winter grass.”

Confident they’ll be back

After the break, Sardá said he is sure Vallecas will be the venue again. “I’m totally confident it will be played in Vallecas,” he said, pointing to the terms of the agreement: “We have a contract until the year 2039 and an additional 10 years.” In his view, the match will be at Vallecas “and the following ones too.”

Fans and possible compensation

Sardá also addressed supporters, saying they’ve already gone through “this bad moment,” and apologised for a situation the club says it couldn’t control. He hinted at compensation for the “three matches that haven’t been played at Vallecas”: “We’ll have to see it, and something can be done,” as reported by MARCA.