Luis de la Fuente and Rafael Louzán Satisfied After Meeting with Juan Jesús Vivas
In a recent visit to Ceuta, Luis de la Fuente, the national football team coach, alongside Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), expressed their unwavering support for the local football community. The duo returned from the meeting with Juan Jesús Vivas, the president of the autonomous city, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. Their trip aimed to provide solidarity to Ceuta during a challenging time, highlighting the importance of togetherness within Spanish football. The officials acknowledged the concerns of Ceuta's football representatives and emphasized that they are not alone in their struggles, conveying a powerful message of support from the national team.
The Journey of the World Cup Begins in Ceuta
The RFEF is particularly proud to have chosen Ceuta as the starting point for the journey of the World Cup trophy, which was secured this summer. In their view, there could not have been a more fitting location to commence this tour across Spain. Bringing the trophy to Ceuta served as a recognition of the resilience of its residents and reinforced a message of unity that has been fervently communicated over recent days: Ceuta is an integral part of Spain, and Spanish football stands firmly with Ceuta. During this heartfelt day, De la Fuente expressed that the demonstrations in support of Ceuta stirred emotions in him even more than the World Cup celebration itself. Louzán also praised Vivas's commitment, emphasizing the urgent need for solutions regarding the recent influx of individuals on July 30.
However, the visit sparked considerable discontent within various Moroccan media outlets, some of which accused the RFEF of politicizing sports and labeled Ceuta as an 'occupied' city. They interpreted the presence of De la Fuente and Louzán as a politically charged message impacting the relationship between Spain and Morocco. Yet, rather than fostering uncertainty, these reactions have only strengthened the pride felt within the RFEF. As stated by federative sources, "If they are upset, it means we are doing something right." The organization believes that showing support for the people of Ceuta and engaging with their football community was not only a moral obligation but also an institutional one.
Some Moroccan media have also linked this visit to Spain's ambition to host the final of the 2030 World Cup, accusing Spain of attempting to take this opportunity away from Casablanca. The RFEF maintains its stance that Spain deserves to host the grand final due to its infrastructure, historical significance in football, and the weight it carries within the candidacy. Starting the World Cup journey in Ceuta is a decision that both De la Fuente and Louzán take immense pride in.
As reported by okdiario.com.
