UD Las Palmas is facing a critical attendance crisis at the Estadio de Gran Canaria that reflects deep discontent with the club's board. The team recorded its worst crowd of the season last Saturday, with only 15,504 spectators watching the 0-3 defeat to Castellón, a alarming figure given the club has 25,006 season ticket holders.

The trend has been downward since the start of the campaign. The first home match against Albacete drew 18,087 people. Since then, the number has fallen in each of the five home games, passing through 17,826 against Leganés, 17,816 against Burgos and 16,489 against Valladolid. The plunge to 15,504 seats on Saturday represents a 14.28% drop from the opening day. In raw terms, only 62% of season ticket holders are actually attending matches.

Discontent makes itself heard

The frustration crystallised during the match itself with chants directed at president Miguel Ángel Ramírez. "Ramírez, go now!", chanted a section of the stands, a message the players heard on the pitch. Captain Álex Suárez later asked for criticism to be aimed at the team. "We need to shut up and work. If they have to insult someone, let them insult us, the players." the defender said.

For his part, sporting director Juan Manuel Rodríguez showed understanding towards the fans but called for unity. "I understand the fans are upset. Please, let's not turn against ourselves." Rodríguez explained.

The sporting context does nothing to calm the mood. UD Las Palmas sits 16th in the Segunda División table with 11 points, just three above the relegation zone. Their recent form is worrying: they have lost four and drawn one of their last five matches, including the home thrashing by Castellón, where Pablo Santiago sealed the 0-3 in the 55th minute. The team has conceded 19 goals in 10 matchdays, scoring only 13.

The next home fixture, this Saturday 24th October against Real Sociedad II, presents a key test to rebuild the connection. The match, kicking off at 17:30, will have a solidarity atmosphere for breast cancer awareness and the team will wear a commemorative kit in dark grey with pink details. The Yellows, who can check the full schedule on our fixtures page, face a rival sitting in 19th place. The board hopes the gesture and a potential sporting upturn will halt the exodus of an increasingly distant fanbase.

First reported at laprovincia.es