**Real Madrid Fan Group Demands Apologies from Mbappe Over Ceuta Shirt Incident**
A supporter group of Real Madrid, known as Ultras Sur, has called for public apologies from star player Kylian Mbappe and his teammates Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate. The demand comes after the trio chose to partially roll up their shirts during a pre-match tribute aimed at supporting the people of Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa.
The incident occurred before Real Madrid's La Liga match against Elche, which took place on September 17, 2026. The shirts worn by the players featured the slogan "We are all Ceutans," intended to express solidarity with the residents of Ceuta, who have been facing a humanitarian crisis amid a surge of migrants from Morocco.
Ultras Sur criticized Mbappe and his teammates for their actions, stating in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that "we are certain that every Real Madrid supporter and every Spaniard is ashamed of the image given by these three individuals." They described the players' conduct as "unacceptable" and expressed disappointment over the lack of response from Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, who has had a contentious relationship with the group since they were banned from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium over a decade ago.
La Liga President Javier Tebas also weighed in on the controversy, stating that wearing the shirt partially was equivalent to not wearing it at all. In contrast, the rest of the Real Madrid team and the players from Elche wore the shirts properly, highlighting the significance of the message they were meant to convey.
The backdrop to this incident is a severe migration crisis in Ceuta, where local residents have reported an influx of migrants camping on beaches and sleeping in the streets. The situation has escalated tensions between the local population and the migrants, particularly following a tragic event in July where scores of individuals lost their lives attempting to cross into Spain. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights estimates that at least 141 people died during this period.
In response to the backlash, Mbappe expressed his intentions behind the gesture, stating, "The first thing I want to say is that I have complete solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims." He emphasized that his actions were meant to honor not only the residents of Ceuta but also the immigrants who have faced perilous circumstances.
The demand for apologies from Ultras Sur reflects the group's strong sentiments regarding the representation of Real Madrid and its players, particularly in relation to social issues impacting Spain. As the situation in Ceuta continues to develop, the actions and statements of public figures like Mbappe will likely remain under scrutiny, especially in light of the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by the region.