The reason is their decision to cover up part of the message on a T-shirt in support for Ceuta – a small Spanish city located on the north African coast – that players for both Madrid and Elche were supposed to wear before their league game on Tuesday. Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior have found themselves in the middle of a supercharged political and social debate in Spain about migration and the country’s relations with Morocco. Ceuta was overwhelmed by a mass crossing of some 80,000 people, mostly from neighboring Morocco, in late July.
“But I also wanted to acknowledge and show support for all the migrants who have lost their lives and those facing harsh conditions. “The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims. Jorge Calabres, a journalist with the online newspaper El Espanol, wrote that “I am outraged by Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate. You are in Real Madrid, not just any club. Support for Ceuta is not a political or religious issue. “They are completely out of bounds and put the players in an awkward situation, making them position themselves. Now people are holding the players accountable. The shirts were made and distributed by a business association representing companies in the eastern region of Valencia. Elche and Madrid also gave their approval.
Because before being a player, I am a human being,” he said. The players had not spoken about it after the match, which Madrid won 3-2.
Mbappe said Wednesday in an interview with Spanish sports newspaper As that he wanted to show his support to the migrants. “The businessmen behind this are idiots,” Segurola said on Onda Cero radio. La Liga said it approved the gesture in accordance with the standard procedure applicable to any ceremonial gesture before a match. Madrid said the shirts were to “show support for Ceuta,” which is still struggling to provide for several thousand migrants who remain in the city.
