Spanish Interior Minister defends suspension of Ceuta football match

The suspension of a friendly football match between the Spanish and Mexican Under-20 national teams in Ceuta has drawn criticism from government officials and the public. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that the decision to cancel the event rests with the Spanish Football Federation, rather than the police.

According to the Minister, the National Police issued a report citing several difficulties regarding the match. These included the poor condition of the football pitch in Ceuta, the short notice provided for the event, and the urgent need to prioritize security resources to manage the ongoing migration crisis in the autonomous city, which has reached its 53rd day.

While the Minister noted that the match could have proceeded if the Federation had chosen to move forward despite the reports, Federation President Rafael Louzán indicated that the game would likely be relocated to Madrid.