Moroccan football mourns death of Faten Ben Omar El Azizi

Moroccan footballer Faten Ben Omar El Azizi has died after reportedly attempting to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

The player, who represented Moghreb Atlético Tetuán, is said to have lost her life during an attempted crossing from northern Morocco in an incident that has shocked the city of Tangier and beyond.

Local news outlet Al Chamal 24 reported that El Azizi died while trying to reach Ceuta, amid a recent increase in irregular migration attempts along Morocco’s northern coast.

Football community pays tribute

News of the tragedy prompted tributes from teammates, friends and members of the local sporting community, many of whom remembered El Azizi for her commitment, discipline and personality.

Those who knew the player described her as a dedicated athlete whose passion for football left a lasting impression on teammates and supporters.

Her death has plunged Tangier’s football community into mourning, with messages of condolence continuing to emerge following the news.

Rising concerns over dangerous crossings

The incident comes as authorities face a growing number of attempts by migrants seeking to reach Ceuta from northern Morocco.

Several people have reportedly died in recent days as a result of rough sea conditions and the dangers associated with the route.

The loss of El Azizi has renewed concerns over the human cost of these crossings, with communities on both sides of the Mediterranean continuing to grapple with the consequences.

A city mourns one of its own

For many in Tangier, El Azizi’s death is not only the loss of a footballer but also that of a young woman whose future was intertwined with the local sporting scene.

Her passing has become a symbol of the risks faced by those attempting dangerous journeys in search of a better life, leaving family, friends and teammates mourning a life cut short.