Moroccan boy reaches mainland Spain under football bus

A Moroccan boy reached mainland Spain from Ceuta hidden under a Real Valladolid football team bus on Monday, club sources said.

The players found the child near the coach's wheel axle after the bus stopped at a service station, according to sources at the northern Spanish club.

The team had crossed the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry after a 1-1 second-division draw against Ceuta. The club sources said the boy stayed hidden during the ferry crossing and for more than 100 kilometres by road before calling for help.

Club members gave him food, water and clothing before police took charge of him.

Spain's government has faced pressure over migration after a July 30-31 crisis in Ceuta, its North African exclave. More than 70,000 people swam around a border fence into the territory on those days, most returned, and several thousand remained. Authorities say conditions in Ceuta have worsened since the influx, leading to angry demonstrations by residents.