La Liga team Rayo Vallecano will have to play matches away from their Vallecas home in the coming weeks after Madrid's regional government said Tuesday they were stepping in to begin urgent repairs on the stadium.
Madrid's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport said that an audit had detected "serious deficiencies" regarding safety at Vallecas and were suspending Rayo's lease of the ground, which has been notoriously poorly maintained.
Madrid regional Culture, Tourism and Sport minister Mariano de Paco Serrano told reporters the intervention was designed to allow Rayo to return there as quickly as possible.
The audit found problems with hygiene, health and sanitation conditions in addition to safety issues in other areas.
La Liga president Javier Tebas told reporters on Tuesday Rayo had lined up "an alternative stadium" to play home matches at and they would be able to begin the season as planned.
Last season Rayo, Conference League runners-up, played one league match at Leganes's Butarque ground because the Vallecas pitch was not in a state to play on.
Rayo players also protested against the way the club is being run by president and owner Raul Martin Presa, as well as the state of the stadium and their training facilities.
