Morocco would have invested €50 million to reconquer Ceuta after the 2030 World Cup?

In recent days, a series of articles in the Spanish press denounce a supposed campaign orchestrated by Morocco to claim Ceuta. They argue that Rabat would have allocated 50 million euros to finance civil organizations, imams and disinformation campaigns on the internet, in order to prepare a self-determination referendum after the 2030 World Cup.

Despite these allegations, the Spanish government’s response would remain limited, which, according to observers, could be interpreted as a sign of weakness by Rabat.

As is often the case in this type of publication, the allegations are based on “leaks” attributed to the Spanish National Intelligence Center (CNI). No official document, public statement or journalistic investigation corroborates this information.

This narrative, which compares Morocco’s alleged actions to those of Russia in Eastern Europe, is part of a broader dynamic of media polarization. The parallel with Moscow’s hybrid operations, aimed at destabilizing Ukraine or the Baltic countries, gives additional seriousness to the situation. But these comparisons, although alarming, ignore the relations between Madrid and Rabat which have never been so harmonious, as José Manuel Albares has just pointed out.

Relations between the two countries remain crucial for the management of migratory flows, the fight against terrorism and economic exchanges. Furthermore, Morocco, which has officially claimed Ceuta and Melilla for decades, has never abandoned the diplomatic route in this matter.

This group attack from the local press of Ceuta and certain national media recalls the rhetoric of the right-wing newspaper El Independiente, which tried to pin the Spanish football federation against Morocco which had imposed its map including Western Sahara.