La Liga game at risk of postponement after fungus outbreak

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FT Desk

The opening round of the new season in Spain has been thrown into chaos due to a suspected fungus outbreak at Celta Vigo's Estadio de Balaidos.

Celta are due to host Osasuna at Balaidos on Sunday night in their opening match of the Primera Division campaign, but La Liga officials are set to conduct a thorough pitch inspection before it can go ahead.

Reports of a fungus outbreak in Spain have raised concerns over whether Celta upcoming fixture can go ahead as planned. BBC Sport reports that La Liga officials are expected to inspect the club’s 24,870-capacity stadium within the next 24 hours to determine whether the pitch is suitable for the match.

The playing surface has reportedly been affected by a fungal infection, causing significant damage to the pitch. Celta are understood to have asked for the fixture to be postponed because of the condition of the surface, though Osasuna are willing to play as scheduled.

Renovations have been going on at Balaidos for over a decade and its capacity will be increased to over 40,000 spectators as it is expected to be one of the venues for the 2030 World Cup, which will take place across Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Three La Liga fixtures for the opening weekend have already been postponed due to player participation in the World Cup final. Valencia v Real Betis, Real Madrid v Real Sociedad and Barcelona v Athletic Club will all take place at a later date.

The news of the potential postponement comes a few weeks after Rayo Vallecano were forced to find a new venue for their opening flurry of home games after a stadium inspection of Estadio de Vallecas identified serious health and safety concerns that put people at risk of Legionnaires' disease.

Debris inside Vallecas, as well as electrical faults, also posed a risk of fires starting throughout the stadium.

Until the stadium is up to code, they will play their home matches at Leganes' Estadio Municipal de Butarque.

In their first five home matches of the season, they face Alaves, Racing Santander, Espanyol, Athletic Club and Elche.

Rayo president Raul Martin Presa has been a target of criticism from the club's fans due to his alleged failure to modernise facilities and even keep the stadium clean. The players complained last season about the state of the pitch, cleanliness, and not having hot water in the showers.

The club are the only team in La Liga that does not have an official ticketing website, leaving fans to wait in long queues to purchase match tickets from the small box office.