The Ministry of the Interior requests the cancellation of the Spanish Under-20 national football team match in Ceuta due to the “existing migratory pressure and the context of social conflict it entails.” Based on these arguments, which avoid at all times labeling what happened as a territorial invasion, the department led by Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is strongly opposed to holding the friendly match scheduled for September 30 against Mexico. This match has been organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as a show of support for the people of Ceuta in the most complicated situation in their history.
Through a letter sent by the General Commissariat of Citizen Security to the body led by Rafael Louzán, which EL MUNDO has exclusively accessed, the Interior Ministry demands the immediate cancellation of the match, stating that it is not in a position to guarantee the security of the event.
The Ministry of the Interior argues that “it is unavoidable to consider the exceptional situation currently affecting the autonomous city as a consequence of the existing migratory pressure.” While avoiding mentioning the existence of a breach of our border that has the North African city on edge, it limits itself to the existence of “a climate of tension in public spaces and, especially, in the area where the stadium is located.” In this way, it acknowledges that it is not in a position to guarantee the security of the match.
Sufficient agents
According to the police letter, there are not enough agents “to handle an extraordinary deployment due to the match.” Hence, it admits that it does not have the resources to secure the event, nor “the transfer and accompaniment of the teams and the refereeing team, the security coordination, and the movements of the delegations during their stay in the city.”
Interior also complains that the Alfonso Murube stadium lacks an Organizational Control Unit (UCO) “despite being a venue where professional competitions are held” and adds that “its absence is especially relevant in this case, as it may be necessary to compensate for this deficiency with additional resources and means.”
It also bases its decision, despite the match being scheduled for the end of the month, on “the limited time available, since the match was communicated only 12 days before its celebration.” A period that, in the opinion of the Interior Ministry, “is especially limited to assess security needs, size the deployment, and coordinate the involved agencies.”
“In short,” emphasizes the communication addressed to the RFEF chaired by Louzán, “the current context of social tension in Ceuta, which is requiring an extraordinary effort of police resources, the security needs that the match will likely generate, the limitations of the sports facility, and the limited time available, significantly hinder the possibility of guaranteeing an adequate police deployment for the event’s needs.”
For all these reasons, the Interior Ministry “discourages” holding the match “under the current circumstances as it cannot guarantee the necessary security conditions for its proper development.” Therefore, it requires the RFEF to “urgently consider the designation of an alternative venue that allows the match to be held with sufficient security guarantees and with the necessary time for proper planning.”
However, the Interior Ministry does not oppose the holding of Ceuta’s next match in the same sports venue, scheduled for tomorrow against Valladolid at 16:15 and corresponding to the sixth league matchday in the Second Division.
