Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Ibrahima Konate are facing scrutiny after they obscured a solidarity message on shirts linked to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave that has become a focal point for political tensions due to a surge in migrants from Morocco. Before a La Liga match on Tuesday, players from Real Madrid and Elche wore white shirts with the slogan "Todos somos caballas" (“We are all mackerels”) as a show of support for the people of Ceuta.
Read More
As the players took to the pitch at Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Konate rolled up their shirts, covering part of the text, before removing them during the pre-game handshakes. This act generated mixed reactions on social media—some saw it as a disregard for the pressing issue that has spurred solidarity protests throughout Spain, while others commended the trio for initially wearing the shirts.
The term "caballas" refers to the local population of Ceuta. According to Real Madrid, both teams were asked to wear the shirts to express solidarity. Videos circulating on social media captured Vinicius and Mbappe rolling their shirts up while waiting to enter the field.
FIFA's regulations stipulate that player clothing cannot display political, religious, or personal messages. Rule 4.5 prohibits revealing undergarments showcasing any such symbols or statements. Despite these rules, players displaying similar messages in recent years have generally avoided fines or sanctions.
Al Jazeera inquired with FIFA regarding potential penalties for players or clubs involved, but the governing body noted that disciplinary matters fall under the jurisdiction of La Liga, the Spanish football federation (RFEF), and UEFA. No comments were received from these organizations in response to the request.
Meanwhile, Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli of Real Betis faced criticism from Moroccan fans after he wore the solidarity shirt before a match against Villarreal on Monday. Ezzalzouli clarified that his intention was not to disrespect Morocco, stating that the shirt was meant as a social gesture of support for Ceuta’s population, irrespective of their nationality.
He emphasized on Instagram that he does not intend to apologize but aims to honor his roots. Real Betis plans to play a friendly against Ceuta on October 1 to further support the enclave.
Ceuta has been at the center of political tensions regarding migration, especially after over 70,000 people crossed into the enclave from Morocco on July 30 and 31, leading to numerous fatalities. Most migrants returned shortly after, but thousands remain in Ceuta. Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied involvement in the crossings, while the enclave itself, which borders Morocco, is heavily fortified.