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Real Madrid's La Liga match at Rayo Vallecano was abandoned in bizarre circumstances on Sunday after Rayo officials said the lighting at their Estadio de Vallecas stadium had been sabotaged.
The game was due to kick off at 9.30pm local time but the stadium was in semi-darkness and fans were still waiting outside the locked arena as workmen toiled to fix the affected lights.
Rayo president Raul Martin Presa said unidentified persons had cut the cables on some of the lights and when it became clear they could not be repaired in time the game was abandoned.
Discussions were then held to try to rearrange the match for Monday, Presa confirmed at an impromptu news conference on the side of the pitch as some of the Real players took the chance to have a light training session.
'There were a huge number of fans waiting and we ask their forgiveness but we hope they understand that these are circumstances beyond the club's control,' he said.
'They came here with all the excitement in the world hoping to see their team play one of the best sides in the world.
'Unfortunately due to an act of vandalism we are not going to be able to enjoy this match tonight.'
Real director of football Miguel Pardeza said the club did not want to risk another lighting failure and wanted to play the match at 5pm on Monday.
'We have a very packed calendar and Rayo obviously does not,' Pardeza said.
'We have absolutely no responsibility for what has happened here and we have to defend our rights.
We have no guarantee that we can play tomorrow at 8 pm, 5pm tomorrow is when we want to play.'
However, Presa told Spanish TV that was 'almost impossible' as many Rayo fans would not be able to attend.
The initial message he had received from the professional league (LFP) was that the game would be played at 8pm and Rayo would do everything to ensure the lights were back to normal, he added.
It has since been announced that the game will take place at 18.45 on Monday. Real did want the game to be played earlier in the afternoon to avoid the risk of another lighting failure, but have reluctantly agreed to the later kick-off.
Rayo wanted the game to be played at 18.00 so more of their fans would be able to attend the clash.
'After the deplorable events that took place yesterday ... Real Madrid C.F. asked the Professional Football League (LFP) to schedule the game today, Monday, during the day in order to avoid any potential problems that might again put it at risk,' Real said in a statement on their website.
'The president of the LFP has decided, however, that the match will be played at 19.45 (local time) and has accepted personal responsibility for it to take place without incident,' the statement added.
'Real Madrid C.F. bases their request on their concern for the lack of dates for the rescheduling of the match should it not be possible for the match to go ahead today.'
Rayo said tickets for Sunday's match would be valid on Monday and fans unable to attend could return them.
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