Floodlight sabotage postpones Real Madrid match

23 September 2012 21:58

Real Madrid's La Liga match at Rayo Vallecano was postponed on Sunday after the floodlights failed amid reports of electrical cables being sabotaged.

Rayo's president Raul Martin Presa indicated he had reason to believe cables had been cut.

"Vandals have cut cables, we have tried to solve the problem as quickly as possible but told the stewards not to open the doors of the stadium. We will leave it to the police to find out who is responsible," said Presa.

The club confirmed as much in a statement.

"The match has been postponed for sabotage in the electrical system," the statement read.

There promptly followed a debate on when the match would eventually take place with Real wanting a late afternoon start on Monday but their hosts preferring an evening start.

"The date and kickoff time are to be confirmed," said Rayo.

Real Madrid's director of football, Miguel Pardeza, said owing to Real's "tight" schedule of games and also the issue of whether the lights would be repaired in time "we want to play tomorrow at five p.m. (1500 GMT), given that we can't guarantee the problems will be solved to play at eight."

But Rayo said they wanted an evening start out of "respect" for their fans -- many of whom would still be at work in the event of an afternoon start.

Spanish television reported the match was likely to be rescheduled for 1800 GMT on Monday evening.

Fans were not allowed into the Estadio de Vallecas ground for security reasons Sunday for a match which had been due to start at 9.30pm local time (1930 GMT).

Real were desperate for a win in the match having made a dismal start to the season to languish eight points behind leaders Barcelona after just one win in four games.

Source: AFP