Real Betis' Moroccan international winger Abdessamad Zalzouli defended himself after being subjected to insults on social media for wearing a shirt in support of Ceuta; The Spanish enclave located in North Africa, before his team's match against Villarreal in the Spanish Football League.
Players from both teams wore T-shirts bearing the slogan “We are all Ceuta” before Betis won 2-1 on Monday at Villarreal Stadium.
This initiative sparked negative reactions towards the earthquake, which originated in Spain.
Some social media users accused the 24-year-old of betraying his country, and demanded his exclusion from the Moroccan national team.
Zalzouli, whose knee injury forced him to withdraw from Morocco’s squad for this year’s World Cup, defended his participation in this initiative, stressing on Tuesday that it did not carry any political intention or any goal to offend Morocco.
He said in a post on Instagram: “I want to make one thing clear: The shirt supporting the people of Ceuta was not used at any time for a political purpose or out of disdain towards my people; The Moroccan people.
The former Barcelona winger described the initiative as a social gesture to support the city’s residents “regardless of their nationality.”
He added: “This is not an apology to anyone. “I will continue to hold my head high and represent my roots with pride and sacrifice.”
This issue comes in light of escalating tensions related to the Spanish city, following the influx of large numbers of immigrants coming from Morocco.
Tens of thousands of migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco on July 30 and 31.
Most returned within the hours following their arrival, but many thousands remained in Ceuta.
Local residents have organized repeated protests as a result of migrants camping on beaches and sleeping in the streets, accusing the Spanish government of abandoning the city, which is facing a humanitarian crisis.
Betis is scheduled to play a friendly match against Ceuta on October 1 in Seville to raise funds and show support for the city.
The Spanish government announced on Sunday that more than 5,300 migrants who remained in Ceuta returned to Morocco within one month.
The government was forced to verify the identities of thousands of migrants who remained in the city for weeks; To determine whether they qualify for asylum, while unaccompanied children cannot be immediately deported.
Regional Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres, charged with leading the government's response to the crisis, said in a video clip posted on social media that 5,321 people had "voluntarily returned" to Morocco since August 10.
Torres added that 90 people “withdrew” applications they had submitted to obtain international protection, while “about a thousand people are being registered with the aim of completing their return procedures.”
The minister did not clarify the number of migrants who remain in Ceuta after their return, an issue that raises a debate between the leftist government headed by Pedro Sanchez and the local authorities in the city, which is run by conservatives.
The head of the local government of the Ceuta enclave, Juan Jesús Vivas, who belongs to the opposition right-wing People's Party, said on Friday that the number of migrants still in the city is 13,000, while government estimates indicate much lower numbers.
Shawky Gharib, Technical Director of the Egyptian Football Association, confirmed that the Federation is working to provide the appropriate atmosphere for the national teams in light of the important engagements that await them during the coming period.
Gharib said, during his speech at the Egyptian Football Association’s ceremony for the national teams, on Tuesday, that there is great support from the Federation’s Board of Directors, headed by Hani Abu Rida, for the national teams in order to provide all the requirements for success and achieve the set goals.
He added that the national coach deserves support and assistance and is given the opportunity, noting at the same time that this does not conflict with hiring a foreign expert affiliated with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to supervise the talent discovery project.
Gharib explained that the Federation has an ambitious plan for Egyptian football that includes a comprehensive vision for development until 2038, the details of which will be announced during an expanded press conference in cooperation with a number of relevant ministries and bodies.
The technical director of the Egyptian Federation touched on the coach development file, stressing the existence of specialized departments in training licenses and performance analysis within a plan aimed at raising the level of Egyptian technical cadres.
He pointed to the interest in obtaining the highest training licenses, explaining that 26 Egyptian trainers are currently participating in the “Pro” training license course.
Gharib confirmed that Hani Abu Raida, President of the Egyptian Football Association, promised to organize three courses for the international professional license for coaches in Egypt during the coming period as part of a plan to develop and qualify Egyptian coaches.
Hossam Hassan, the coach of the first Egyptian national football team, expressed his happiness with the team’s achievement in the 2026 World Cup, stressing that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s reception of the national team’s delegation represents a medal on the chest of the technical staff and players.
Hossam Hassan said, during his speech at the Egyptian Football Association’s celebration of the national teams on Tuesday, that every word that President Sisi said during his reception of the delegation carried an important meaning and message.
He added that the Egyptian President gave confidence to national competencies, and demanded reliance on the Egyptian coach in light of the successes he achieved during the past period.
The Egyptian team's technical director explained that the team succeeded in bringing smiles back to the faces of the fans, noting that the recent period witnessed the return of the fans to rally around the team after the results and levels presented by the team.
Hossam Hassan confirmed that the technical staff enjoys full support from the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Football Association, whether during the period of the previous board headed by Gamal Allam or the current board headed by Hani Abu Raida, considering that this support was one of the main reasons behind the recent successes.
He pointed out that the next stage will witness more cooperation and coordination in order to achieve the aspirations of the Egyptian masses.
Hossam Hassan greeted the Egyptian fans inside and outside the country for their continued support for the team, stressing that the technical staff and players will continue to work to make them happy.
The technical director called on the players of the various national teams to make every effort to represent Egypt, stressing the necessity of work and commitment in order to preserve the status of Egyptian football.
Hossam Hassan praised the National Teams Center, stressing that it has become an integrated headquarters for all teams and includes the necessary capabilities for technical staff and players, including stadiums, accommodation rooms, training and recovery halls, lecture and meeting halls, swimming pools and recreational facilities.
Hossam Hassan called on all national teams to take advantage of the capabilities provided by the center and work to achieve more successes for Egyptian football in various international tournaments and forums.
