Rayo thrash second-string Atletico 3-0 in near-empty relocated LaLiga clash

MADRID, Feb 15 : Fran Perez, Oscar Valentin and Nobel Mendy fired Rayo Vallecano to a 3-0 win over an understrength Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a LaLiga match overshadowed by protests against Rayo owner Raul Martin Presa.

With Atletico's focus on Wednesday's Champions League knockout playoff at Club Brugge, Diego Simeone selected a weakened side and paid the price, with Perez and Valentin netting before the break and Mendy wrapping up the scoring in the second half.

The result was in stark contrast to Atletico's display on Thursday, when they beat Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.

For Rayo, the victory provides breathing space in their battle near the bottom. They are 16th in LaLiga with 25 points, while Atletico remain fourth on 45 points, 15 behind leaders Barcelona.

Played in front of swathes of empty seats at Leganes' Butarque stadium, the fixture was relocated after LaLiga ruled Rayo's pitch at Vallecas unplayable. The sparse crowd made plenty of noise nonetheless, directing their anger at Presa throughout.

Spanish police had barred Rayo from selling tickets for security reasons, limiting access to 14,000 season-ticket holders. The club's ultras group, Los Bukaneros, urged fans to boycott the game, yet a little over 5,000 supporters showed up. They gathered outside with banners and songs aimed at the club's owner and continued their protests inside.

After each goal, rather than celebrate, fans chanted "Presa: leave now!" in unison.

'UNACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS'

Tensions between supporters and Presa have simmered for years but escalated earlier this month when Rayo's players and staff publicly criticised the club's management for "unacceptable conditions" including unusable pitches and cold