Based in Ceuta since the summer of 2025, Yann Bodiger is experiencing up close the migration crisis which has affected the Spanish enclave since the end of July. In an interview given to The Teamthe former Toulouse resident recounts the upheaval caused by the massive arrival of migrants on July 30 and 31. “ It was a shock, the population doubled in two days, it was really an invasion. Daily life changed overnight », Explains the French community. Ceuta has around 80,000 inhabitants and nearly 72,000 migrants entered during these two days, before the vast majority returned to Morocco. Bodiger, who lives there with his wife and their daughter, describes occupied parks, a crisis that has become the main topic of conversation and a feeling of fear fueled by reported thefts and assaults. However, he emphasizes that the situation has since improved and considers that it has been “ very well managed » by the city.
The former U20 and U20 international assures that he never considered leaving AD Ceuta, which he joined after seven years spent in Spain. Reassured by his neighbors and his acquaintances, he mentions in particular the strengthening of the police in the city center. His team also wanted to send a message by interrupting the kick-off of two matches for around thirty seconds, against Las Palmas on August 23 then against Mallorca on August 30. “ Ceuta is Spanish and the city wants to regain its normality and security », explains Bodiger, while recalling the difficult situation also experienced by migrants. “ When we train, we see the migrant camps, and they also see us… We do our job and other people must find solutions to these problems. »
