Rayo Vallecano is looking out for its fans who have fallen on hard times.
The Spanish soccer club will allow unemployed supporters to attend its next home game for free, and the opponent is none other than Real Madrid, Football Espana reports.
“This year, in an act of solidarity towards those who are suffering the most, we will allow free entry to all season-ticket holders who are currently out of work,” Rayo president Raul Martin Presa said.
Just as it did last season, Rayo is forcing season-ticket holders to pay an extra fee to attend the game against crosstown giant Real Madrid. That fee ranged between €20 ($26) to €25 ($32), and it could be the same this time around.
But Rayo will wave the extra fee for unemployed fans, so they end up paying only the cost of the ticket (that they already purchased).
Rayo plays its home games at the 15,500-seat Estadio de Vallecas (better known as the “Teresa Rivero” stadium). Many of its fans hail from the working class Vallecas neighborhood in southern Madrid, which has been hard hit by the economic crisis affecting Europe.
Spain’s unemployment rate has been estimated at 23 percent, making it the highest figure in Europe.
Many would jump at the chance to watch the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas and other Real Madrid stars, despite the fact that Real Madrid sits below Rayo Vallecano in the La Liga standings.
Perhaps Real Madrid should consider a price increase — at the 85,000-seat Santiago Bernabeu Stadium — when Rayo visits?
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