La Murada football stadium has been left without floodlighting after thieves stole copper cabling from all four lighting towers, causing damage estimated at approximately €11,000.
Orihuela Council has begun replacing the stolen wiring and repairing additional damage caused during the raid at the municipal sports complex.
The theft disabled the artificial lighting serving the football pitch, disrupting evening training sessions and matches. Damage was also reported to the water supply serving the canteen and the centre’s propane gas installation.
The Department of Sport said restoring the four floodlight towers was its immediate priority, with teams and players currently unable to use the pitch normally after dark.
Sports councillor Víctor Sigüenza expressed regret over the incident and said municipal staff were working to minimise the disruption.
Sigüenza also criticised the financial impact on local taxpayers. The estimated €11,000 repair bill will have to be paid from public funds that could otherwise have financed improvements to sporting facilities or other community projects.
The Sports Department is coordinating the replacement of the copper wiring, repairs to the damaged water and gas installations and the restoration of normal activities at the complex.
The theft has been reported to the Guardia Civil, which will investigate the incident.
For the time being, however, La Murada’s footballers have been forced to accept an unwanted tactical change: everyone behind the ball—and home before dark.
