Riots broke out in several Belgian and Dutch cities following Belgium’s embarrassing 0-2 defeat to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.
The police detained about a dozen 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 the authorities are doing everything possible to maintain order on the streets. Even the movement of the metro and trams 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 Liège.
“It’s sad to see some people abusing the situation and getting out of control,” Interior Minister Annelise Verlinden said.
Police in the neighboring Netherlands said violence erupted in the port city of Rotterdam as riot police tried to disperse a group of 500 football fans who pelted police with fireworks and glass. Media reports of riots in the capital Amsterdam and The Hague.
Morocco’s 2-0 victory over Belgium was a big upset at the World Cup and was enthusiastically celebrated by Moroccan immigrant fans in many Belgian and Dutch cities.
