The footballers of AD Ceuta and UD Las Palmas took to the field at the Alfonso Murube stadium wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan “Ceuta no se vende. Ceuta se defiende” (Ceuta is not for sale. Ceuta is defended). This gesture occurred in the context of the migratory crisis affecting the autonomous city, particularly after the arrival of migrants on July 30th.
Although the island club had initially stated they would not wear the t-shirt, they ultimately joined the initiative. The protest took place before the match, part of the second round of LaLiga Hypermotion, uniting both clubs in their demand for action regarding the city's situation.
Before the teams entered the pitch, local fans, many waving Spanish flags, sang the national anthem. Following insults directed at the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, both teams came onto the field wearing the protest t-shirts, expressing their “commitment to Ceuta and its people”.
The players were applauded by the fans as they took to the grass with the message. Furthermore, at the start of the match, the home players remained embraced in the center circle for the first 30 seconds as a protest, while the UD Las Palmas players waited in their own half.
“"Beyond the sport, I am very disappointed with Spain and with everything; there is very little humanity."
Ceuta's coach, José Juan Romero, had previously expressed his disappointment with the city's situation, lamenting the lack of humanity and stating that “nothing has changed” regarding the migratory crisis. Romero also called for a “more humanitarian” competition and greater support for clubs from LaLiga.
