Youssef Chippo wades into La Liga shirt row over Ceuta and Melilla

Former Morocco international Youssef Chippo has said Ceuta and Melilla are Moroccan cities and criticised efforts to bring political issues into football, as controversy grows over a La Liga initiative supporting the people of Ceuta.

Speaking on beIN Sports while analysing Barcelona’s match against Racing Santander in La Liga, Chippo said: “Ceuta and Melilla are Moroccan cities. They are remnants of European occupation and will return to Moroccan sovereignty, whether sooner or later.”

“It is unacceptable to bring political issues into sport,” he added.

Chippo said Barcelona’s refusal to wear shirts supporting Ceuta, along with the decision by Real Madrid trio Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate not to display them, represented a failure by the Spanish Football Federation, which he said was attempting to promote the city.

He also defended Morocco international Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who plays for Real Betis and was required to wear the shirt before his side’s match against Villarreal.

“Ezzalzouli is a Moroccan player, and no-one can question his patriotism or his love for Morocco,” said Chippo.

The issue has sensitive political implications in relations between Spain and Morocco.

Ceuta and Melilla are located on the northern coast of Africa and are administered by Spain. Morocco considers both cities to be occupied Moroccan territory and has called for their return.

The dispute intensified after Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate, described as Real Madrid’s trio in the controversy, folded their shirts over the position of the message before a match against Elche. The move meant the slogan was not visible and was intended to avoid a possible negative reaction in Morocco.

Real Madrid’s players had been given shirts bearing the words: “Todos somos caballas. Ceuta y los Caballeros de la Mar”. The shirts were prepared by the Association of Businessmen in Valencia as part of an initiative covering matches involving Villarreal, Levante, Elche and Valencia.

The players’ decision came one day after Ezzalzouli was criticised for taking part in the same campaign.

During Villarreal’s match against Real Betis, the Andalusian club’s players took part in the initiative and appeared on the pitch wearing the shirts in support of Ceuta. Ezzalzouli, who represents Morocco, was among them.

He subsequently faced widespread criticism and attacks from Moroccan users on social media. Ezzalzouli deleted posts linked to the initiative before later defending his involvement.

The Real Betis player said the shirt had a “social character in support of the city’s residents and families” and denied that the campaign had political aims or was intended to insult Morocco.