Riots broke out overnight Thursday into Friday in several European cities, including London and The Hague, following Morocco's defeat to France in the World Cup semifinal.
In London, videos circulated showing clashes between Morocco supporters and police in the Edgware Road area, home to a large Moroccan community. By halftime, before France secured its 2-0 victory, reports said Morocco fans had gathered in the area, set off fireworks, blocked traffic and waved Moroccan flags in the middle of the road.
Riots in London after Moroccan soccer team lost to France
(Credit: X social media)
After the final whistle, the confrontations escalated. Footage from the scene showed a police officer lying on the ground after, according to reports, he was struck in the head by a glass bottle thrown at him.
London police said four people were arrested in the unrest, which Sky News described as "chaos." Police said the disturbances had been dispersed by 1 a.m. local time.
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In New York, Moroccan fans also took to the streets tonight after the loss
(Photo: AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
The riots in London tonight
(Photo: X social media platform)
(Photo: X social media platform)
Photo: X social media
(Photo: X social media platform)
"We will not tolerate such disorder on our streets, or attacks on our officers," police said in a statement. "We will be reviewing CCTV and video footage circulating on social media to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice."
Particularly ugly disturbances with an antisemitic element were also reported in the Netherlands. Local media reported that in The Hague, Morocco supporters chanted, among other slogans, "All Jews are faggots" and "Hamas! Hamas! All Jews to the gas chambers!" According to a witness at one of the unrest sites in The Hague, the crowd also shouted: "Jews are cancer."
Authorities in The Hague also reported that glass bottles were thrown at police officers, who eventually dispersed the crowd after clashes. Supporters also set off fireworks. One video showed fireworks being launched from a street decorated with giant Moroccan and Turkish flags hanging between buildings.
Clashes were also reported in Amsterdam, where police arrested eight rioters on suspicion of offenses including public disorder, dangerous driving and throwing stones at officers.
In Paris, where violent riots erupted about six weeks ago following Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League victory, no significant unrest was reported this time. The apparent reason was the extensive police deployment. According to Le Parisien, more than 20,000 security personnel were deployed across France amid fears of post-match violence, including 8,000 in Paris alone.
According to Le Parisien, more than 20,000 security personnel were deployed across France amid fears of post-match violence, including 8,000 in Paris alone
(Photo: X social media platform)
(Photo: X social media platform)
A tragedy did occur, however, during celebrations by France supporters. According to French media reports, a 17-year-old girl was killed after falling from a vehicle during celebrations in Aulnoye-Aymeries, near the Belgian border, and was then run over by the same vehicle. Le Parisien reported that six minors witnessed the incident, one of whom was hospitalized after suffering an anxiety attack. The driver was arrested as part of the investigation.