Florentino Pérez Visits Ceuta, Says Trip Prepared Over Weeks With Juan Jesus Vivas

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez visited Ceuta and said the trip was not related to any recent developments, telling the city hall that it was prepared “over several weeks” with Ceuta’s president Juan Jesus Vivas.

“not due to any recent news, but because we have been preparing it for several weeks”

Al Jazeera

The visit came as Real Madrid’s stars Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate had obscured a message on T-shirts during Real’s La Liga match with Elche, with the shirts designed to show support for Ceutans.

Al Jazeera

ANSA Latina said Pérez visited Ceuta “amid the controversy over the shirts” and that he was accompanied by Emilio Butragueño and Pirri, with dozens of Ceutí residents gathering at the gates of Ceuta’s Autonomous Palace.

In the same account, Pérez said “we hope the city returns to normality as soon as possible,” after being received by Vivas, while Vivas framed the visit as institutional support rather than a football fixture.

The controversy centered on the Ceuta support shirts worn by Real Madrid players before the match against Elche, where Mbappé, Konaté, and Vinícius Jr chose not to wear the shirt bearing the message “We are all Caballas,” with the rest of the players running onto the pitch with the slogan visible.

El Correo quoted Mbappé explaining his position in statements to AS, saying, “I have all the solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims. Because before being a player, I am human,” while also describing his desire to include immigrants who had lost their lives.

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In Al Jazeera’s account, Real told Reuters it respected players’ freedom to make their own decisions, but noted Real had shown support for Ceuta a week earlier with a tifo during their Champions League match with Inter Milan.A

Al Jazeera also reported that Perez said the event was prepared with the president of Ceuta and that it was meant to convey “all our support, all our affection, and our solidarity during these very difficult times to all Ceutans.”A

The visit unfolded against Ceuta’s migratory crisis, with Al Jazeera saying that in July “more than 70,000 irregular crossings into Ceuta from Morocco took place,” causing disruption in the territory.

“more than 70,000 irregular crossings into Ceuta from Morocco took place”

Al Jazeera

ANSA Latina tied the controversy to the migratory crisis as well, stating that about a month and a half ago 70,000 people from Morocco entered Ceuta, of whom about 5,000 remained in the city and 141 lost their lives attempting to enter.

El País reported that at 11:53 the Madrid delegation arrived at Ceuta’s Town Hall, and three minutes later Florentino Pérez signed in Ceuta’s guest book and embraced Juan Jesús Vivas.

In El País’s account of Vivas’s remarks, he proclaimed “Ceuta is not for sale; Ceuta is defended; Ceuta is Spain,” while also saying the issue had “no political colors,” as the Madrid delegation sought to convey support and solidarity to the Ceutí people.