The Department of International Relations has advised that the group of young teenagers who are stranded in Europe are safe. The Department’s Clayson Monyela said on Monday that the group, which travelled to Spain for a football tournament, has been booked into a hotel in Portugal.
Our consular team has been seized with this file since Friday. The latest is as follows: The team is booked into a hotel & everyone is safe. BT Academy has confirmed to us that they’re buying tickets to get everyone back. We’ll provide an update as soon tickets are secured. https://t.co/b9SaeeAOHr
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) July 21, 2025
This is after more than 20 people, the majority of whom are young boys, left Cape Town for a soccer opportunity in Spain. They were stranded because the organisers did not have funds for return flights.
The group, which includes players and their coaches, had travelled to the country to compete in the Donosti Cup football tournament held in San Sebastián from 7 to 14 July. The trip was organised by BT Football Academy.
Over the weekend, news emerged that the group was unable to return home due to what the academy attributed to the high cost of return flights.
According to a statement released by BT Football Academy, the purchase of a ticket for a return flight was delayed due to visa delays, which, in turn, made flights more expensive than anticipated.
“Visas were received merely a week before the intended departure. This created immense pressure on our team to secure flights within an extremely short timeframe. The cost of return flights so close to departure date proved unaffordable.”
The academy insisted that preparations had been made well in advance for other logistics, which were paid for by parents. According to reports, this amounted to R50,000.
“All essential elements of the tour, including accommodation, food, tournament registration, and other logistical requirements were paid and secured.”
It has now “made the decision” to extend the accommodation for the group in Europe and ensure that they are provided with meals in the meantime.
The academy said it has sought assistance.
“We had reached out well in advance to various government departments and ministers seeking financial assistance. Regrettably, no response was received.”
On Sunday, South Africa’s Minister of Sport and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said he had escalated the matter to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which is now working to get the children back home.
