Real Valladolid’s bus drivers revealed they discovered a 17-year-old Moroccan minor hiding in the undercarriage of their vehicle during a return trip from Ceuta, according to statements shared with El Norte de Castilla and confirmed by efe.com. The incident occurred after the club’s team played a match against A.D.
The drivers, Diego Fernández and José María García, described hearing “golpes” (knocks) while en route from Algeciras to Jerez. García, who served as the second driver, recalled that Juanmi Latasa, a team staff member, approached them with concerns about the noises. “Vino Latasa y nos dijo que estaban escuchando golpes,” García said, translating to “Latasa came and told us they were hearing knocks.” Fernández, the lead driver, confirmed they had previously discussed the possibility of someone sneaking into the bus, having checked the luggage compartments during a prior stop in Marbella.
The bus, operated by company Cabrero, is equipped with specialized storage compartments for sports equipment, but the minor managed to evade detection. García and Fernández identified a 60-centimeter gap beneath the vehicle’s chassis, accessible via a trapdoor typically used by mechanics for maintenance. “El autobús no levanta más de 30 centímetros del suelo,” Fernández explained, noting the minimal clearance made the space nearly inaccessible. The minor, who had been hiding in the undercarriage during the ferry ride from Ceuta to Algeciras and the subsequent road trip, was discovered after the drivers reduced speed and listened for the source of the noises.
Upon locating the minor, the drivers contacted medical staff, including team doctor Alberto López Moreno, who advised against moving the boy to avoid exacerbating potential injuries. The minor, who had been in the undercarriage for approximately 1.5 hours, was found lying on the ground, reportedly suffering from back pain. “No le pasaba nada,” García said, noting the boy was eventually able to stand with assistance from the Guardia Civil.
The incident sparked immediate action from the club. Players who heard the minor’s cries during the trip alerted the second bus, which was carrying the coaching staff and officials. The team provided the boy with water, food, and clothing, while attempting to communicate with him using a translator. “El joven no sabía español, ni francés,” efe.com reported, noting that Julien Ponceau, a player, tried to converse in Arabic before a translator was brought in. The boy’s condition was reported as stable, though he experienced “intenso dolor en la espalda” (intense back pain), which López Moreno addressed before emergency services arrived.
The club has since been in contact with authorities in Seville and Cádiz to determine the minor’s whereabouts, but no further details have been released. “El club no ha podido saber nada del menor,” efe.com stated, though they emphasized the team’s swift response.
Both drivers expressed relief that the situation did not escalate further. García noted the potential danger of the bus’s suspension system, stating, “la suspensión pudo matarle.” He also mentioned the risk of the minor being struck by the second bus in the convoy, which was carrying the team’s staff. “Si se hubiese soltado y hubiese caído, el otro autobús… le hubiese arrollado,” García said, underscoring the precariousness of the situation.
While the club has not commented publicly on protocol changes, the drivers’ account suggests they were already aware of the possibility of unauthorized passengers. “Habíamos revisado los distintos maleteros del vehículo,” García said, indicating prior vigilance. However, the undercarriage remained unexamined, a gap in security that the drivers acknowledged.
For the Real Valladolid team, the event followed a challenging match against Ceuta, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The club’s arrival in Valladolid at 8:00 AM was marked by the unusual circumstances, with players and staff reflecting on the broader implications of the incident. “La expedición blanquivioleta llegó a Valladolid… y una vivencia inesperada que hizo pensar a todos sobre esas personas que se juegan la vida a la desesperada para buscar un futuro mejor,” efe.com reported.
For now, the drivers’ account and the minor’s survival serve as a reminder of the unexpected challenges faced by teams on the road.
