Over a month has passed since tens of thousands of individuals made desperate attempts to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Triggered by misinformation, many sought to swim across the Mediterranean from Morocco to enter Spanish territory. Tragically, at least 79 lives were lost during this perilous journey. While some migrants have since left Ceuta, thousands continue to endure dire conditions in the 80,000-population city. These harrowing events have sparked a significant protest movement across Spain, which has notably permeated the world of football.
Football Fans Unite in Solidarity
Among the most prominent expressions of solidarity has come from the Grada Fans Madrid, a group clad entirely in white, situated in the south stand of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. They seized the opportunity during the UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday evening to voice their protest through an impressive choreographed display. Before the match commenced, they raised thousands of signs emblazoned with the Ceuta flag, while spectators throughout the stadium were encouraged to bring Ceuta or Spanish flags. The atmosphere was further charged by loud chants of "hijo de puta" directed at Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who is criticized for his liberal migration policies. The club has since shared images of this action on its official website, referring to it as a "homage to Ceuta" from the fans of Real Madrid. Prior to the match, videos circulated showing individuals, allegedly members of the officially banned Ultras Sur, burning a portrait of Sánchez alongside the Moroccan flag.
Ceuta has been under Spanish control since the 16th century and is located on the North African coast. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and Morocco, Ceuta's status has long been a source of tension between the two nations. Morocco, which gained independence from Spain in 1956, claims the enclave as its own, while Spain insists it is part of its territory, consistently rejecting these claims. The ongoing conflict has already strained plans for a joint hosting of the 2030 World Cup, with the leftist party Sumar—part of Sánchez's coalition—now calling into question the viability of this project. Their parliamentary proposal urges a reassessment of the joint tournament with Morocco and Portugal as a third host, following speculation that Morocco may have instigated or tolerated the migration wave to politically pressure Spain.
Nationwide Demonstrations and Solidarity in Sports
The rumors surrounding these events, along with the current plight in Ceuta—where at least 5,000 individuals continue to seek refuge in makeshift accommodations—have triggered nationwide demonstrations. Last week, over 50,000 people took to the streets of Madrid alone during the regional holiday of the enclave, demanding a stricter migration policy, a firmer stance against Morocco, and increased support for Ceuta's residents. The fervor of the populace has permeated the realm of football as well. AD Ceuta FC, alongside their opponents UD Las Palmas, staged a notable protest by allowing the ball to remain still during the first minute of their second division match. The players donned T-shirts with the protest slogan: "Ceuta no se vende, Ceuta se defiende," which translates to "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta will be defended."
Support for AD Ceuta has even reached the highest levels; Javier Tebas, the president of the Spanish League, made a poignant statement before the club's first home game, saying, "Today, football in the Alfonso Murube Stadium reminds us of something very simple: Ceuta is Spain. Ceuta belongs to us." Tebas has a controversial political history, previously supporting the far-right Vox party and being a member of the now-defunct fascist movement Fuerza Nueva in the 1980s. He pledged unwavering support for AD Ceuta and all the city’s citizens in light of the "outrageous and incomprehensible situation." He concluded his remarks echoing the protest movement's slogan: "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta will be defended."
The sentiment was echoed by Marcos Fernández of Espanyol Barcelona, who scored a last-minute equalizer in a La Liga match. Under his jersey, he revealed a T-shirt bearing the protest slogan, showcasing it to the cameras during his celebration. Having spent the previous season on loan at AD Ceuta, Fernández expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received and voiced hope that "the situation will be resolved as quickly as possible so that the residents of Ceuta can return to normality." Moreover, numerous other clubs have carried the message of protest into their stadiums. The ultras of Atlético Madrid and Real Zaragoza displayed banners in support, while Real Betis Sevilla unfurled both the Spanish and Ceuta flags during the pre-match ceremony last Friday. These two flags have also been prominently displayed during street demonstrations, symbolizing Ceuta's affiliation with Spain. Betis is even planning a friendly match in solidarity with the residents of the enclave against a local second-division team.
However, the repercussions of the situation in Ceuta are also being felt in Moroccan football. Faten Ben Omar El Azizi, a 26-year-old player for Moghreb Atlético Tetuán in the regional league, was among the many who tragically drowned while attempting to reach Spanish territory. For many Moroccans, Ceuta—along with the second enclave of Melilla—does not belong to Spain. This sentiment was made clear by the fans of the first-division team MAS Fès, who displayed a banner last Sunday stating: "Ceuta and Melilla: two cities, one homeland: Morocco."As reported by 11freunde.de.
