Moroccan teenager found under Valladolid team bus after Ceuta match

A Moroccan teenager was discovered hiding beneath the Real Valladolid team bus after the Spanish second-division club left Ceuta following their 1-1 draw with the local side.

The minor had reportedly concealed himself near the rear wheels of the bus and remained there during the ferry crossing from Ceuta to mainland Spain before continuing the journey underneath the vehicle for more than 100 kilometres on Spanish roads.

Valladolid players hear noises under bus

According to AFP, Valladolid’s players became aware of unusual noises coming from beneath the bus several kilometres into their return journey early on Monday.

The team stopped at a service area, where the players discovered the teenager positioned around the vehicle’s rear axle.

He had apparently remained hidden throughout the ferry journey and continued beneath the bus after arriving on the Spanish mainland before eventually asking for assistance.

Members of the Valladolid delegation gave him food, water and clothing while they waited for Spain’s Civil Guard to arrive.

Officers subsequently took charge of the teenager, allowing the Valladolid squad to continue its journey to the central Spanish city.

Ceuta remains a migration route

The incident happened after Valladolid’s Spanish second-division fixture against Ceuta on Sunday, with the match ending 1-1.

Attempts by migrants to reach mainland Spain from Ceuta by hiding inside or underneath vehicles have occurred previously, highlighting the city’s continued importance as a route towards mainland Europe.

Ceuta, a Spanish-controlled city on the North African coast, has experienced increased migration pressure in recent months.

In late July, thousands of migrants from Morocco reached the city during a major influx, although many subsequently returned to Morocco.