Real Madrid link emerges in La Liga shirts supporting Ceuta

Reports have revealed that a campaign supporting the Spanish city of Ceuta was organised by the Valencia Business Association, whose president is former Real Madrid president Vicente Boluda.

The initiative appeared during several La Liga matches in recent days, with some players wearing shirts carrying messages of support for Ceuta. The campaign caused widespread debate because clubs and players took different positions on whether to participate.

According to Marca, the Valencia Business Association is one of the region’s main business organisations. Its connection to Boluda provides a direct link to Real Madrid and helps explain the background to the initiative and the people behind it.

The shirts featured the words “We are all Ceutans”, as well as the phrase “Ceuta and the Knights of the Sea”. The back displayed the name “Ceuta” alongside the Spanish flag.

The association said the message was intended to show solidarity with the city’s residents and underline “regional and social cohesion in Spain”.

Marca reported that the initiative did not come from La Liga or the Valencian regional government. Instead, it was launched by the Valencia Business Association, which formally announced it through its social media accounts on 10 September.

The association then offered clubs in the Valencia region the opportunity to wear the shirts during matches. The proposal later received approval from La Liga and was subsequently seen in a number of fixtures, including appearances by both the clubs that backed the campaign and their opponents.

Villarreal was among the most prominent clubs to support the idea. The Roig family, which owns Villarreal, is a member of the Valencia Business Association, and the club said it was ready to back any future initiative along similar lines, according to Marca.

The shirts were also present during Levante’s match against Barcelona. Levante players wore them, but Barcelona’s squad did not after the club declined to take part.

In the match between Elche and Real Madrid, players from both teams wore the shirts. However, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate covered the main message, meaning it was not fully visible. Vinicius and Mbappe also removed the shirts before the handshake ceremony.

Earlier, Abde Ezzalzouli had worn a Ceuta-support shirt during Villarreal’s match against Real Betis. The decision led to criticism and abuse from some Moroccan fans, although the player said the shirt carried a social rather than a political message.

Despite the controversy surrounding the campaign, the Valencia Business Association has not commented on the decisions made by players or clubs in the latest matches. It has instead reiterated that its stated aim is to express solidarity with Ceuta’s residents and promote “regional and social cohesion in Spain”.