Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate court controversy with Ceuta solidarity shirts

Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate are in the spotlight having obscured a solidarity message on their shirts linked to Ceuta, the Spanish enclave which has become a political flashpoint over the influx of migrants from Morocco.

All players from Real Madrid and their Spanish competitor Elche wore a white shirt carrying the slogan: “Todos somos caballas” (“We are all mackerels”) over their team shirts prior to their La Liga match on Tuesday.

However, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Konate rolled up the white shirts to their chests, covering some of the text, before walking onto the pitch and removing them as players shook hands before kickoff.

In a sign of how divisive the episode has become, some commenting on social media saw the move as the players’ disregard for the issue, which has prompted solidarity protests across Spain, while others praised the trio for wearing the shirt in the first place. The players were also lauded by some for obscuring the message.

The slogan is a reference to the people of Ceuta as caballas is a nickname for locals.

The two clubs had asked the players to wear the shirt.

“Before the start of the match between Elche and Real Madrid, players from both teams took to the pitch at Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium wearing shirts that read ‘todos somos caballas’ as a show of solidarity with Ceuta,” Real Madrid said on its website. 

Social media videos showed Vinicius and Mbappe rolling up their shirts after putting them on as they waited to step out.

According to FIFA’s rulebook, clothing worn by players “must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.

Rule 4.5, pertaining to players’ clothing and equipment, also bans players from revealing undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo.

However, footballers displaying such messages have avoided fines or bans in recent years.

Al Jazeera asked FIFA if the La Liga players or clubs will face any sanctions for displaying the message. The global governing body pointed out that any disciplinary action falls under the remit of La Liga, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and European football body UEFA.

La Liga, RFEF and UEFA did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for a comment.