Rayo Vallecano achieved a significant victory on Thursday night, marking their first-ever European semi-final appearance with a 1-0 win at home in the first leg of the Conference League. Amidst the joyous celebrations, a notable moment involved winger Ilias Akhomach.
As the team prepares for the upcoming trip to France with a narrow lead, the Vallecas stadium buzzed with excitement, celebrating not just the win but the final European match of the season on home turf. The team hopes to secure two more European matches, though these will be played away from home.
Ilias Akhomach’s Display of the Palestine Flag
In a customary gesture, Rayo Vallecano players celebrated with their ultra group, Bukaneros. During these festivities, Ilias Akhomach, on loan from Villarreal, approached the crowd to retrieve a Palestine flag. He then placed the flag in front of the celebrating players on the pitch. As the celebrations intensified, Akhomach draped himself in the flag. Following his action, chants of “Palestina Libre” (Free Palestine) echoed throughout Vallecas.
This is not the first time Akhomach has shown support for Palestine. In a 2023 Europa League match featuring Villarreal against Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, UEFA observed a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the October 7th attack by Hamas. However, the minute of silence did not acknowledge the broader conflict’s victims. Akhomach, along with teammate Aissa Mandi, demonstratively stepped away from the rest of the players, protesting the omission.
Akhomach joined Rayo Vallecano on loan from Villarreal for the remainder of the season, without a purchase option. After facing injury challenges in recent years, the Moroccan international has found renewed form in Vallecas. The 22-year-old has featured in 15 matches for Rayo, scoring once and providing one assist, making a notable impact on the team’s performance.
VIDEO: Rayo Vallecano Player Takes Palestine Flag from the Crowd During Conference League Celebrations
English Translation:
Rayo Vallecano celebrated victory on Thursday night in their first ever European semi-final, winning 1-0 in Vallecas in the first leg of the Conference League final four. There was also an unusual scene during the celebrations with Ilias Akhomach as the protagonist.
Heading to France next week with a narrow lead, Vallecas was in fine voice as they celebrated not only a win, but a final European night at Vallecas for the season. They will hope to have two more, but both will be away from home.
Ilias Akhomach brings out Palestine flag from Rayo crowd
As is customary, Rayo celebrated their win in front of the Bukaneros ultra group. During the celebrations, Villarreal loanee Ilias Akhomach went into the crowd to take a Palestine flag, and then laid it in front of the players on the ground. As the celebrations became more vigorous, he draped himself in the flag. After collecting it from the crowd, chants of Palestina Libre [Free Palestine] rang around Vallecas.
Ilias has previously expressed support for Palestine
This is not the first time that Ilias has expressed support for Palestine. During a 2023 Europa League match for Villarreal against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, UEFA granted a minute of silence to honour the October 7th victims of an attack by Hamas. As the minute of silence failed to acknowledge the victims of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Akhomach did not partake. He and Aissa Mandi both stepped back from the rest of the players in protest.
Akhomach joined Rayo from Villarreal on loan until the end of the season, with no option to buy. After struggling with injuries in recent years, the Morocco international has found his flow again in Vallecas. So far the 22-year-old has played 15 times for Rayo, scoring once and assisting once, but his impact on the pitch has been notable.
