The Moroccan footballer Faten Ben Omar El Azizi died during an attempt to swim to Ceuta from the coast of Morocco, as confirmed this Saturday by both her club and the Moroccan Union of Professional Footballers (UMFP). His death occurred in the midst of the recent wave of crossings to the Spanish enclave and adds to the victims recorded during this week's border crisis.

Maghreb Atlético Tetuán announced the death of the player through a note published by local media. The club noted that Faten's dream “ended before it began” and stressed that “he was not looking for fame or adventure,” but rather “for a better life and a future that he believed awaited him on the other side of the border.”

The entity added that the soccer player's trip "ended before reaching her destination, after losing her life during an attempt to reach the city of Ceuta," and lamented the "high price" that many young people pay in attempts at irregular migration.

The UMFP also officially confirmed the death. “With deep regret, the Moroccan Union of Professional Footballers (UMFP) regrets the tragic death of the player Faten Ben Omar El Azizi,” the organization said in a statement in which it conveyed its condolences to the family, her teammates and the Moroccan football community.

The tragedy occurred during the wave of crossings towards Ceuta

Local media Tanja 24 reported that the death occurred during the series of crossing attempts recorded on Thursday between Fnideq and Ceuta. According to that publication, numerous young people jumped into the sea after calls spread on social networks and in a context marked by economic difficulties.

According to this medium, Faten had problems in the water during the sea crossing and died before reaching the coast or receiving assistance.

Spanish authorities put the death toll at 67 related to the border crisis that led some 60,000 people to try to cross between Morocco and Spain. Morocco, for its part, did not officially report any deaths, injuries or missing persons in its territory, although Moroccan media speak of at least 17 deaths, the majority due to drowning on the route between Fnideq and Ceuta.

A player linked to local football in Tetuán

Faten Ben Omar El Azizi competed in the Moroccan regional championship and belonged to a family related to local football. According to Tanja 24, she was the cousin of Abdessamad El Azizi, a player who played for clubs in the region such as Ittihad Martil.

Maghreb Atlético Tetuán, founded on March 12, 1922 in the city of Tetouan, is known for its Botola Pro men's team and holds the record for titles in the Moroccan second division with seven championships.

While the border crossing gradually returns to normal, several families continue to approach the border to ask for information about their missing relatives after the crossing attempts in recent days.

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