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Rayo Vallecano’s players have once again demonstrated their deep-rooted connection with the Vallecas community, showing solidarity with fans who were scammed while trying to attend the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig. The Spanish side will face Crystal Palace in Germany next week, aiming to lift their first-ever major trophy in only their second European campaign.

The modest club from Madrid’s eastern district has far exceeded expectations by reaching the Conference League final, having eliminated Strasbourg and AEK Athens along the way. The upcoming clash is being hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Rayo, who hope to complete a historic run by defeating their English rivals on Wednesday.

Concerns were raised on social media after it was revealed that a supposed travel package offering Rayo supporters flights and bus transportation to Leipzig for €250 was a scam. The fraudulent deal left several fans out of pocket. Following the exposure of the scam, a social media account named Soy Bolton explained the situation and appealed to Rayo’s players for assistance.

Team captain Oscar Valentin responded to the post with applauding emojis, prompting the account to share a screenshot of the donation account set up to reimburse those affected. The donation list showed contributions from goalkeeper Dani Cardenas (€400), right-back Andrei Ratiu (€1,000), and forward Sergio Camello (€2,000), all stepping in to ease the financial loss of their loyal supporters.

This marks the second time the Rayo Vallecano fan community has rallied to help supporters impacted by scams related to the Conference League final. Spanish outlet Cadena Cope previously shared the heartwarming story of 80-year-old fan Enrique, who had paid for a bus trip to Leipzig to see Rayo take on Crystal Palace. When his travel plans fell through, fans launched a crowdfunding campaign, and within two hours, they raised €1,034 — enough to secure Enrique a seat on a chartered flight to Germany.

Stories like these continue to highlight the extraordinary unity between Rayo Vallecano’s players and their passionate supporters, as the club prepares for one of the most important matches in its history.