Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate rolled up their pre-game T-shirts ahead of Real Madrid’s match at Elche on Tuesday to obscure the message of support for the people of Ceuta.

Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.

Players from both sides walked on to the pitch at Elche’s ground, Martinez Valero, wearing white T-shirts carrying the message “Todos somos caballas” translated as “We are all Ceutans” along with references to the Spanish autonomous city.

While most of the players wore the shirts fully, Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate had theirs rolled up to around chest height, obscuring some of the slogan.

Mbappe and Vinicius then removed their shirts before the pre-match handshake, while Konate kept his on for longer. Their team-mates and the Elche players continued to wear the shirts through the pre-match formalities.

This is not the first time Real Madrid have shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September, supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, while the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause.

The initiative was part of a wider show of support for Ceuta, following a major migration crisis in the Spanish territory after thousands of people entered from Morocco.

At least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta’s mayor.

Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city’s streets and beaches, leading to unrest in the autonomous Spanish city in North Africa.

Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants.

The representatives of the players have been asked for comment.

The episode came shortly before a dramatic night for Real Madrid, who recovered from surrendering a two-goal lead to beat Elche 3-2, with Carlos Espi scoring the winner in stoppage time.

Mbappe was among Madrid’s scorers, while Vinicius started the game.

The pre-match gesture also highlighted the differing approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign.

Barcelona did not take part in the initiative, while players at other La Liga fixtures had worn the shirts as intended.

FIFA and CAF officials on Monday began assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications of the developments within the Nigeria Football Federation as they met with National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko and members of the NFF’s federating units in Abuja.

The meeting, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, followed the mass resignation of NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other board members on August 27, amid mounting scrutiny over the performances of Nigeria’s national and youth teams, particularly the failure of the senior men’s and women’s teams to qualify for their respective World Cups.

The FIFA and CAF delegation comprised FIFA Member Association Governance Services team lead Ahmed Harraz, FIFA Head of Member Association Governance Rolf Tanner, FIFA Regional Office for West Africa lead El Hadj Wack Diop and CAF Legal Manager Nnaemeka Olu.

Dikko first met with the FIFA and CAF representatives, briefing them on the government’s proposed reform agenda for the sports sector, before other members of the NFF Congress joined the engagement.

The delegation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the mass resignation of the NFF board, efforts to restructure the federation’s governance, the NFF statutes, its electoral process, a new timetable for the elective congress and the government’s role in the affairs of the federation.

The NFF statutes have been at the centre of stakeholders’ agitation for a more inclusive federation, while the electoral process and the composition of the Congress are also expected to form part of the assessment.

The FIFA and CAF officials are expected to engage relevant stakeholders to establish a lawful and acceptable route back to a functioning NFF Congress, with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the federation’s leadership crisis, which has repeatedly generated controversy around election periods.

Last week, FIFA had said no decision had been reached despite receiving various communications from stakeholders in Nigeria, stressing that the assessment would precede any recommendations to its decision-making bodies.

“The mission will allow FIFA and CAF to better understand the circumstances surrounding the recent developments within the NFF, the views of the various stakeholders and any issues that may require further consideration under the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF regulatory framework,” FIFA said in a letter sent to the NFF last week.

“Following completion of this assessment process, FIFA and CAF will determine whether any recommendations or proposals should be submitted to the competent decision-making bodies within FIFA and CAF in accordance with their respective Statutes and regulations.

“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take.”

The outcome of the engagements is expected to provide greater clarity on the proposed reforms, the future of the federation’s leadership and the process for restoring stability to Nigerian football.

Saudi Arabian World Champion Yazeed bin Mohammed Al-Rajhi is set to resume competition at Baja Espana Aragon 2026 following its postponement due to wildfires in areas close to the route.

The event was rescheduled as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of competitors, teams, and spectators.

The 42nd edition of Baja Aragon will see a change in Al Rajhi’s driver line-up after his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk suffered rib fractures following a motorcycle accident.

His fellow German co-driver, Dennis Zenz stepped in instead.

Al-Rajhi will compete behind the wheel of the Toyota Hilux T1+ prepared by the Belgian Overdrive Racing team in the fifth round of the 2026 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.

The event takes place in Teruel, Aragon, in northeastern Spain and brings together some of the world’s leading cross-country rally competitors.

Considered one of the most prestigious and historic baja events in the world since its first edition in 1983, Baja Aragon continues to attract top international talent.

The rally covers a total distance of 810.11 kilometers, including 488.68 kilometers of competitive sections, divided into a 6.48-kilometer Prologue, a first stage covering 331.15 kilometers, and a final stage of 151.07 kilometers. The route features fast gravel and dirt tracks, combined with technical sections that demand maximum concentration and precision from drivers and co-drivers.

Al-Rajhi has already completed this season in the Dakar Rally 2026, as well as the Portugal and Argentina rounds of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. His participation in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas was limited to the opening round in Ha’il, as part of a gradual program to regain full physical readiness following his rehabilitation period.

The Saudi World Champion aims to deliver a strong performance at Baja Aragon and continue competing at the highest level of international cross-country rallying, despite the last-minute change in his co-driver line-up.

Speaking ahead of the event, he said: “First of all, I wish Timo a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in competition soon. Changing the co-driver shortly before the rally is a new challenge, but Dennis is an experienced co-driver, and we are ready to compete and give our best.

“The decision to postpone the rally was made to ensure everyone’s safety. We are looking forward to returning to competition at one of the toughest and most historic Baja events in the world. Our goal is to deliver a strong performance and achieve the best possible result.”