Kylian Mbappe has found himself at the centre of controversy after partially wearing a tribute shirt supporting the people of Ceuta.
A Real Madrid supporters’ group has demanded a public apology from Mbappe and two teammates over their decision. Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate also partially rolled up the shirt before Real Madrid’s 3-2 win at Elche.
The incident occurred before Tuesday’s La Liga match and quickly drew criticism from the supporters’ group.
Real Madrid Players Face Backlash Over Shirt
Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate wore the tribute shirt partially rather than displaying it fully.
The rest of Real Madrid’s squad and Elche players wore the shirt normally before the match. The shirt carried the message “we are all Ceutans” in support of people in the Spanish territory.
Ultras Sur criticised the three players over their decision and called for public apologies.
“We are certain that every Real Madrid supporter and every Spaniard is ashamed of the image given by these three individuals,” Ultras Sur said.
The group also described their conduct as “unacceptable” while questioning Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s silence.
La Liga Chief Also Criticises Players
La Liga president Javier Tebas also criticised the three Madrid players over how they wore the shirt.
Tebas said that partially wearing the shirt amounted to not wearing it at all.
“putting it half on is the same as not wearing it”
Meanwhile, Ultras Sur has frequently been associated with the far right. The group has also remained at odds with Perez since its supporters were banned from the Santiago Bernabeu more than a decade ago.
Why Was the Ceuta Shirt Significant?
The tribute was intended to show support for people in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa. The city has recently faced a migration crisis, with residents raising concerns about migrants from Morocco camping on beaches and sleeping in streets.
The situation has also created difficult humanitarian conditions in the city. Moreover, scores of people died while attempting the crossing in July.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights has estimated the death toll at at least 141.
Mbappe Explains His Decision
Mbappe later explained that his intention was not to disregard the people of Ceuta or those affected by the crisis. Instead, he said he wanted to acknowledge both the victims and migrants who had faced difficult conditions.
“The first thing I want to say is that I have complete solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims,” he told Spanish daily AS.
“But I also wanted to make a gesture and express my thoughts for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in difficult conditions.”
Migration Crisis Adds to Ceuta Tensions
Tens of thousands of migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco on July 30 and 31. Most returned within hours of their arrival. However, several thousand remained in the territory.
As conditions deteriorated, tensions between migrants and local residents increased. The shirt controversy has therefore placed Mbappe and his teammates at the centre of a wider debate surrounding the message behind the tribute.
While the players’ gesture has drawn criticism from some Real Madrid supporters, Mbappe has explained that he wanted to express solidarity with both Ceuta and migrants who lost their lives.
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