Second half of Rayo Vallecano vs Albacete to be played June 10
Rayo Vallecano's match with Albacete was abandoned at half-time in December due to racist insults and the second half will be played next week.
LaLiga will oficially restart on June 10 when the second half of the abandoned match between Rayo Vallecano and Albacete will mark the Segunda Division's return to action and a curious, if unwanted, record for both sides that has nothing to do with the coronavirus pandemic in Spain. The original fixture at Vallecas, which took place on 15 December, was brought to a halt after the opening 45 minutes when Albacete player Roman Zozulya was abused by Rayo fans.
Zozulya, a former Ukraine international, joined Rayo on loan from Real Betis in 2017 but the move was cut short when supporters protested against the transfer due to reported far-right links, which the player has strenuously denied.
Following widespread derogatory chanting aimed at Zozulya, both sides asked referee José Antonio López Toca to abandon the game.
It was determined that the second period would be played at a later date but, after being pencilled in for February, it was again pushed back, with the coronavirus-enforced shutdown then ensuring a much lengthier delay.
However, the remaining 45 minutes will now be played next Wednesday, with the scores goalless, signalling the resumption of professional football in Spain amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Rayo-Albacete set a record of sorts
The game between Rayo and Albacete will go down as the longest postponed match in history after a full six months have passed between the first half and second half being played. The previous record was held by Airdrie and Stranraer after the Scottish Cup game was postponed 33 times over the course of a month due to inclement weather.