100 Arrested In Brussels After Morocco World Cup Defeat

Police in Brussels arrested some 100 people amid clashes over the end of Morocco’s 2022 World Cup fairytale run, as the team was beaten 2-0 by France in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

The detained fans were accused of disturbing the public order, damaging two police vehicles, and possession of prohibited fireworks, news agency Belga reported early Thursday, quoting the police.

According to the report, some of the roads in the city centre were cordoned off ahead of the match.

Images from Wednesday night showed piles of burning rubbish and a large police contingent deployed on the streets of Brussels, with officers clad in riot gear.

Photos published by Belga also showed residents who had started to clean up the streets on Wednesday evening.

Morocco became the first team from Africa to reach the final four in a World Cup after ousting Spain and Portugal in the last of 16 and the quarter-finals, respectively.

They also beat Belgium in the group stage.

Several people were also arrested amid clashes in Antwerp, to the north of the capital, Belga reported.

(dpa/NAN)