Riots erupted in several Belgian and Dutch cities after Belgium’s embarrassing 0-2 defeat to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.
The police arrested about ten people. Water cannons and tear gas were used to disperse crowds in Brussels.
Dozens of rioters overturned and set fire to cars, set fire to electric scooters and threw bricks at cars. Police arrived after one person sustained facial injuries, Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Kiere said.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close urged people to stay away from the city center and said authorities were doing everything they could to keep order on the streets. The circulation of the metro and trams also had to be stopped by order of the police.
“These are not fans, these are rioters. Moroccan fans gathered to celebrate” Close said. There were also riots in the cities of Antwerp and Liege.
“It’s sad to see some people abusing the situation and losing control,” said Interior Minister Annelise Verlinden.
Police in the neighboring Netherlands said violence erupted in the port city of Rotterdam when riot police tried to disperse a group of 500 football fans who pelted police with fireworks and glass. The media report unrest in the capital Amsterdam and The Hague.
Morocco’s 2-0 victory over Belgium was a huge surprise at the World Cup and was enthusiastically celebrated by Moroccan immigrant fans in many Belgian and Dutch cities.
