Belgian police used water cannons and teargas on Moroccan football fans after coming under attack in Brussels following Belgium’s shock 2-0 World Cup loss.
According to Fox Sports, via AFP, 11 people had been arrested after wild scenes erupted even before the end of the match.
A Brussels police statement claimed that ‘dozens of people, including some wearing hoodies, sought confrontation with the police, which compromised public safety’.
The report claims that fans were armed with sticks and a journalist was injured by fireworks.
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Footage of the incidents claim that Morocco football fans were the main contributor to the violence in Brussels.
Different videos show fans setting off fireworks, vandalising streets, and burning and smashing cars.
The report says that around a hundred police officers were on the scene with residents asked to avoid certain areas of the city centre.
Calm was restored around 7 pm local time, however, plenty of damage had already been done.
Brussels mayor, Philippe Close tweeted: “I condemn in the strongest terms the incidents of this afternoon. The police have already firmly intervened.
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“I, therefore, advise against fans coming to the city centre. The police are doing all they can to maintain public order.
“I have ordered the police to carry out arrests of the troublemakers.”
Belgium is home to around 500,000 people of Moroccan descent, with violent episodes not just restricted to the city of Brussels.
In Liege, a gang of 50 people attacked a police station, breaking windows and damaging police vehicles.
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A water cannon was also used there in an attempt to stop the violence.
A dozen people were also arrested in Antwerp.
European cities such as Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Utrecht also saw mass arrests as violence broke out from Moroc an football supporters celebrating their team’s victory.
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Riot police dispersed fans in Amsterdam, while police took action in Rotterdam after fans threw fireworks and glass at the officers.
It was a shock win for Morocco that potentially jeopardises Belgium’s World Cup hopes, and means the African country has a great chance of making it out of the group stages.
Belgium will hope to defeat Croatia, or results go their way in the Moroccan and Canada fixture in order to make the round of 16.
Featured Image Credit: @visregrad24/Twitter.Topics: Football World Cup, Football, Belgium
