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Rayo Vallecano use spirit of Bert and Ernie to protest late kick-off times

It’s not really Bert or Ernie, but it was really, really late.

SPANISH FOOTBALL HAS always had later than usual kick-off times.

Sometimes they’re a necessity as soaring summer temperatures can turn a game of football into cruel and unusual punishment.

These days however, the post-midnight finishes should instead to be attributed to the Spain’s governing body, the LFP, who schedule the games to maximise the potential TV viewership.

On Friday night, Rayo Vallecano v Levante started at 11pm. And home fans protested by avoiding the opening 24 minutes of the game, then taking their seats all at once.

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The images were sent to us by Paul Reidy who was at the game and adds that the Ultras area remained deserted througout, save for two familiar faces:

“The end (there is only one as the ground is three-sided) where the hardcore fans go was left empty, with two fans dressed up as Ernie and Bert from Sesame Street in sleeping bags with a banner saying, “please keep the noise down its sleep time not football time”.

imageimageImage credit: Jose Ramon

Despite the ingenious protest, Levante managed to come away with all three points thanks to a last-gasp Andreas Ivanschitz goal which made the score 2-1.

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