Rayo Vallecano has chosen the Burgos CF stadium, El Plantío, as an alternative to their field if they ultimately cannot start the League there due to the poor condition it is in and the conflicts they have with the Community of Madrid regarding its management and works. Sources from the Burgos team, which plays in the Second division, confirm to EL PAÍS that the entity led by Raúl Martín Presa has approached them with the aim of holding the first match of the championship that would correspond to them as hosts, on August 20 against Alavés. Rayo Vallecano, which played a match against Atlético de Madrid at the end of last season at Leganés’ home ground, has considered stadiums closer to Madrid such as Real Valladolid’s before opting for Burgos’.
“Given the good relations between both clubs, an agreement has been reached that El Plantío will be the alternative stadium so that in case they cannot play the first day of the League, it will be at El Plantío,” sources from the white-and-black team confirm to EL PAÍS, although they clarify that “it is not closed, it has been presented to La Liga and they have given a deadline of about a week extension for negotiations between clubs to open and sign a binding contract for this agreement. El Plantío has been presented as an alternative stadium for Rayo Vallecano but everything is subject to the negotiations being properly closed throughout this week,” these informants point out, who see it likely that the pact will be signed given the favorable stance of both parties.
The club led by the criticized Martín Presa, finalist last season of the Conference League, has considered several possibilities in recent days in case their conflicts with the Community of Madrid resulted in a ban on using their field in the Madrid neighborhood of Vallecas. Even the team’s players have issued a joint statement to reproach the situation and urge finding solutions that allow them to start the League under proper conditions. Another option studied these days by Rayo’s board was to temporarily move to play at Nuevo José Zorrilla, home of Real Valladolid, whom sources familiar with the process report they also consulted. Pucela, also in the Second division, has scheduled works that will mean it cannot debut at home until September, in the fourth round, but had shown openness to hosting the club from the stripe.
The Butarque stadium, in Leganés, much closer to Vallecas, was also another possibility, and sources from the pepinero club confirm that Rayo contacted them. However, and pending LaLiga’s approval of this forced move next week, Rayo will start the League as hosts in Burgos, on a field 243 kilometers from their own. Curiously, their rival on August 20, date of the second league round, first at home for Rayo, will be Alavés, who will only have to travel 113 kilometers as visitors.
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