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Riots across Belgium and Netherlands after Morocco's World Cup victory

Riot police work to clear the street in Brussels during clashes with rioters on the sideline of the live broadcast of the 2022 World Cup match between Belgium and Morocco in Qatar, on Nov. 27, 2022. Photo by Nicolas Maeterlinck/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images

Several Belgian and Dutch cities erupted in violence following Morocco's 2-0 upset victory over Belgium at the World Cup on Sunday.

After using water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds in Brussels and Antwerp, respectively, the police detained a total of sixteen people. Two police officers were injured in Rotterdam, the Dutch port city. By Sunday evening's late hours, uneasy calm had returned to the majority of the affected cities.

Dozens of rioters overturned and burned automobiles, set fire to electric scooters, and pelted automobiles with bricks. According to Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere, the police were dispatched after a person sustained facial injuries.

The mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, urged residents to avoid the city center and stated that authorities were making every effort to maintain order on the streets. On police orders, even subway and tram traffic had to be stopped.

"Those individuals are not fans; they are rioters." "The Moroccan supporters are there to celebrate," said Close. Additionally, there were disturbances in Antwerp and Liege.

Annelies Verlinden, minister of the interior, remarked, "It's sad to see how a few individuals exploit a situation to cause chaos."

Police in the neighboring Netherlands reported that violence broke out in the port city of Rotterdam, with officers attempting to disperse 500 soccer fans who threw fireworks and glass at them. Unrest was reported in the Dutch capitals of Amsterdam and The Hague.

Morocco's victory was a major upset at the World Cup, and fans with Moroccan immigrant roots in many Belgian and Dutch cities enthusiastically celebrated.

Publish : 2022-11-28 09:47:00

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