LIVE | At least one arrest after ME intervention in Schilderswijk, now peace has returned

After the intervention of riot police in Schilderswijk in The Hague on Saturday evening, at least one person was arrested. Calm has now returned, according to an Omroep West reporter.

The ME stepped in after heavy fireworks were launched. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee was also present in support. All the revelers were whisked away towards Hollands Spoor.

The ME intervenes in Schilderswijk in The Hague. An emergency order has been issued. The side streets of the Vaillantlaan are closed. The ME has formed a line there. An Omroep West reporter relates how the ME drives partygoers towards Hollands Spoor with shields and dogs. According to bystanders, fireworks are being launched against the ME.

The police took twenty to forty people to the corner of Vaillantlaan and Parallelweg. Marechaussee is also present. A large group of about a thousand people gathered on Avenue Vaillant to celebrate Morocco’s victory. Although the party atmosphere prevails at first, the streets are partially blocked by fans and heavy fireworks are set off.

On one of the side streets of Parallelweg, the police made another charge at 19:22 by running into the street.

In The Hague’s Schilderswijk, at least a thousand people celebrate a huge street party after Morocco’s victory over Portugal. Loud boos and cheers can be heard immediately after the match. The Vaillantlaan is once again overrun with frenzied fans. Lots of cars and scooters with Moroccan flags honking their horns pass screaming fans. Volunteers try to keep the road clear for passing cars.

Fireworks are also launched. The EM is currently standing ready to step in if things threaten to get out of hand. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is present on the Hoefkade for support.

The first half of the game is over. The Moroccan national team has just started the second half of the match against Portugal. At Schilderswijk in The Hague tension reigns, but also tranquility. ‘I hope Morocco continues and we can have a peaceful holiday in Schilderswijk. This evening we will be present in the neighborhood with about 65 volunteers divided over different locations. After the match, we will take to the streets to keep in touch with the fans,” said animator Karim El Boujjoufi.

The police are already visibly present in the area. Groups of local police patrol the streets and police vans regularly drive along the Vaillantlaan. Police announced earlier this week that they would be more visible when Morocco play on Saturday, as things have gone sour at Schilderwijk after previous games. After Morocco won 3-0 against Spain, the Vaillantlaan was flooded with fans. The mood of the party changed rapidly and heavy fireworks were set off and eventually ten people were arrested.

Former professional footballer Ali Boussaboun is very proud of the performance of the Moroccan national team at the World Cup. “They show themselves as a tight-knit team fighting like the Lions of the Atlas.” Ali goes looking in the football canteen. “With my red djellaba lit,” he laughs.

The municipality of The Hague will take various security measures around the Morocco – Portugal soccer match on Saturday, because the revelry after the previous World Cup matches in Schilderswijk turned into riots in which the police had to intervene.

Everything is listed here:

Scooter sharing company Felyx is taking all scooter sharing off the streets of Schilderswijk. For Felyx shared scooter users, this means they cannot pause or end rides in a risk area.

GO Sharing, which offers shared scooters and bicycles in addition to shared cars, says via a spokesperson it will “in principle” not remove vehicles from the road. However, the company is in talks with some municipalities to see if adjustments are necessary in the area where GO Sharing has vehicles.

For the second Saturday in a row, the necessary football matches are brought forward. Players with Moroccan roots play on many top amateur teams. To give them the opportunity to watch the match, FC Lisse – Jong Sparta Rotterdam and Scheveningen – Rijnsburgse Boys start at 14:00. All other duels will start at their original time.