Out of Africa – When La Liga welcomed its only non European Club

By Chris Clements
Updated: 13 August, 2012

Life in La Primera was never going to be easy for Atletico, but they appeared to be given a favourable start when they were paired at home with another promoted side, Real Zaragoza. The Estadio de Varela was full to its 15,000 capacity when, on the 9 September 1951, the first top-flight game on African soil kicked-off. The match was a scrappy affair, played in intense heat in front of the Jalifa of Spanish Morocco. The game’s only moment of quality arrived seven minutes into the second half, when Zaragoza’s Hernandez scored with a thunderous left-foot drive from outside the area.

In fairness, Atletico had a decent home record for the rest of the season, winning six and drawing five. This included a 4-1 victory over their namesakes and reigning league champions Atletico Madrid, whilst there were creditable draws with Real Madrid & Valencia. Not surprisingly however, it was on the road that Los Matadores struggled. Heavy defeats were incurred at Celta Vigo and Valencia, whilst Atletico Madrid gained revenge for their defeat on African soil, slamming eight past a beleaguered Tetuan defence at the Estadio Metropolitano.

All but one of their away fixtures ended in defeat. The one exception occurred in Week 7 when Atletico came from behind to beat Deportivo at the Riazor. Atletico Tetuan’s top-flight odyssey finally came to an end on 13 April 1952, when newly crowned champions Barcelona won by five goals to two at the Estadio de Varela. Bottom, but not disgraced, Los Matadores returned to La Segunda.

Over the next four seasons Atletico Tetuan made valiant attempts at a return to the top division. This included a third place finish in 1952-53 which led to an appearance in the end of season promotion play-offs. Here they came within a point of an immediate return to La Primera, but was denied promotion with a final day draw away to Espana Industrial, the reserve side of Barcelona. Atletico returned to the play-offs two years later after finishing runners-up to Real Murcia, but once again the final step-up proved to be elusive.

The 1955-56 season was played against a back-drop of Moroccan independence, and by March of 1956, Atletico club president Julio Parres knew that the club would have to merge or disappear. Keen to preserve its heritage and ensure continuity of work for the professional staff, Parres entered negotiations with a number of clubs. However, it was the close proximity and the recent good form of SD Cueta that proved decisive.

On 22 April 1956, Atletico Tetuan played its last ever game, a 4-1 away win at Real Betis. On 2 July 1956, both Atletico Tetuan and SD Ceuta were formally wound-up and a new team, Club Atletico de Ceuta was formed, taking up the place vacated in La Segunda by Los Matadores. With the majority of the professional staff transferring to Atletico Ceuta, this left a void in Tetuan which was eventually filled in 1961, when Moghreb Athletic de Tetouan took on the colours and the stadium of Los Matadores.

The intervening years have seen CA Ceuta fold and be replaced by AD Ceuta, who now play in the Tercera. However, back in Morocco, Atletico’s heritage is alive and kicking. After 50 years of achieving very little, Moghreb Tetouan won its first Moroccan championship in May 2012. As the city celebrated the club’s first major honour, the Ultras paraded banners celebrating the club’s Spanish heritage. What did the banners declare? Siempre Los Matadores – Always the Matadors.

Out of Africa – When La Liga welcomed its only non European Club

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