Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate rolled up their pre-match T-shirts during Tuesday’s game at Elche, partly obscuring a message supporting the people of Ceuta.
Players from both teams entered the Martinez Valero pitch wearing white shirts carrying the slogan “Todos somos caballas”, meaning “We are all Ceutans”.
The shirts also contained references to Ceuta, the Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast bordering Morocco.
Most players wore the shirts without altering them. Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate, however, rolled theirs up to around chest height, covering part of the slogan.
Mbappe and Vinicius later removed their shirts before the pre-match handshake. Konate kept his on for longer.
The gesture comes after a major migration crisis in Ceuta following the arrival of thousands of people from Morocco.
According to figures cited by Ceuta’s mayor, at least 72,000 migrants crossed into the territory on 30 and 31 July. Most reportedly returned, while thousands remained in temporary camps or on the streets and beaches.
The crisis has prompted concerns among some residents and led to unrest in parts of the city.
Real Madrid have previously shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League match against Inter Milan on 8 September, supporters displayed cards featuring Ceuta’s coat of arms.
However, approaches to the campaign have differed across Spanish football.
Barcelona did not participate, while players at other La Liga fixtures wore the shirts as intended.
Representatives of Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate have been asked for comment.
