A 14-year-old boy met a tragic end during a clash between French and Moroccan fans after the World Cup semi-final in Qatar. The accident occurred in Montpellier in the south of France. The clash between France and Morocco in the semi-final of the World Cup sparked the riots. France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the final.
Tens of thousands of people came to the Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris to celebrate France’s victory. Then fans from both countries clashed in the street and during the conflict the car rushed into the street and ran over the child, according to international media reports. The child, who was seriously injured due to the impact of the thunder, was immediately taken to the hospital, but his life could not be saved. The vehicle that hit the child disappeared down the road without stopping. French media report that the police are looking for the driver of the vehicle.
There are over one million people of Moroccan descent in France. Morocco is the first African team and the first Arab team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. After Morocco lost to France by two goals to nil and were eliminated in the semi-finals, tension among supporters rose in the streets.
Given the tense situation, the police had strengthened the security on site even before the match. There are reports that about ten thousand policemen have been deployed in different parts of France. As the conflict escalated, police fired tear gas. There are also reports that police have arrested around 40 people for possession of prohibited weapons and around 115 people for rioting. Video of the riot is widely circulated on social media.
Herault deputy Natalee Ozial condemned the incident. She tweeted that she was saddened that a sport ended in such a tragedy and she shares the grief of the family of the slain child.
Boy killed during clashes between French and Moroccan fans in Montpellier
