Moroccan International Ezzalzouli Addresses Backlash
On September 15, 2026, Moroccan international Abdessamad Ezzalzouli took to social media to respond to the intense backlash he faced following an event in Villarreal the previous day. Ezzalzouli wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "Todos somos Caballas"—Spanish for "We are all Caballas"—before a La Liga match. This phrase serves as a message of solidarity with the residents of Ceuta, a city currently claimed by Morocco but occupied by Spain. Following a wave of negative comments from Moroccan fans on his social media posts, the Real Betis winger decided to archive all photos from his Instagram account, which boasts 2.4 million followers. In a story shared on his account, he clarified his intentions while firmly rejecting any notion of an apology.
Clarification and Defiance from Ezzalzouli
In his statement, Ezzalzouli expressed the desire to "clarify the situation," emphasizing that he never intended to wear the t-shirt as a political statement or out of disrespect for the Moroccan people. He characterized the garment as a "socially motivated" piece aimed at supporting those in distress, regardless of their nationality. The tone of his message soon shifted as he declared, "I do not apologize to anyone," indicating that he would not bow to pressure from those who might question his patriotism. He concluded by affirming his commitment to represent his roots with pride and to continue living "with head held high." This controversy erupted just before the match between Villarreal and Real Betis, where Ezzalzouli was part of the squad that won 2-1.
The initiative to wear the slogan was part of a broader campaign led by the Valencian Association of Entrepreneurs, which called on Spanish organizations to show support for Ceuta amid its ongoing challenges following a recent migration crisis. The collaboration between Villarreal and Betis was framed as a message of unity towards the people of the city. Several other Spanish clubs have previously shown similar support for Ceuta, with a friendly match scheduled between Betis and AD Ceuta on October 1, 2026, with proceeds going to Cáritas Ceuta.
However, the outcry in Morocco was swift, with numerous fans expressing their disapproval, arguing that a national team player should not engage in initiatives tied to Ceuta. Reports from Spanish media, including Marca and Goal, noted that Ezzalzouli was subjected to insults and threats online. Born in Béni Mellal in 2001 and moving to Spain at the age of seven, Ezzalzouli has navigated a complex identity, having played for clubs like Barcelona and Osasuna before joining Real Betis in 2023. Selected for the 2022 World Cup and the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournaments, he represents a generation of Moroccan talent raised in Europe, often caught between conflicting expectations from their homeland and professional spheres.
As reported by maroc-hebdo.com.
