Morocco international Abde Ezzalzouli said a shirt he wore bearing the slogan “Todos Somos Caballas,” a reference to residents of Ceuta, was intended as a gesture of social support and carried no political message.
Ezzalzouli issued the clarification on Instagram after wearing the shirt around Real Betis’ match against Villarreal on Monday, prompting criticism from some Moroccan social media users.
The winger said the gesture was meant to support people in the area during what he described as a difficult situation, regardless of their nationality, and was not intended to insult Morocco.
He said the statement should not be interpreted as an apology, adding that people questioning his attachment to Morocco were free to do so.
“Caballas” is a commonly used term for residents of Ceuta. The slogan roughly translates as “We are all from Ceuta.”
Ezzalzouli said he remained proud of his Moroccan roots and would continue representing them
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