European finalists banned from playing at their own stadium over health risk

The new season begins in three weeks time.

Rayo — who narrowly missed out on European glory in May's final with Crystal Palace — rent the ground from the regional government of Madrid, but will be unable to continue playing at the stadium until the risk of supporters contracting Legionnaires' disease is dealt with.

According to a report from the BBC, the La Liga outfit have also been pulled up over the risk of "fires due to the accumulation of refuse and debris inside the stadium, as well as electrical faults."

As it stands, no alternative venue has been organised ahead of the beginning of the La Liga in three weeks time.

Mariano ⁠de Paco, Madrid's regional head of sport, culture and tourism, has provided the following statement: "We've tried to get this back on track but we've reached a point of no return - the lack of maintenance has been certified.

"The club wasn't complying so authorities had ​to take action. What has happened is intolerable."

Work on the stadium will begin immediately but could take as long as six months to complete, according to reports.