Football | Morocco’s surprise victory led to riots in Belgium and the Netherlands

Belgium in the capital Brussels, soccer fans rioted and clashed with police Sunday night after the World Cup match between Belgium and Morocco.

In the match, Morocco took a 2–0 surprise victory over Belgium, one of the best teams in the world.

Dozens of fans broke windows, threw fireworks and set cars and electric scooters on fire in central Brussels. The police said they had arrested 11 people.

About 500,000 people of Moroccan background live in Belgium, and based on the pictures that spread from the riots, many of the rioters were dressed in Moroccan flags.

According to the Brussels police, the rioting already started during the match. Dozens of people clashed with the police, and the police used water cannons and tear gas. About a hundred police officers were brought into the downtown area, and subway stations and streets were closed to contain the riots.

“I strongly condemn the events of the afternoon. The police have already intervened strictly. I advise fans to avoid coming to the city center. The police will do everything they can to maintain order,” the mayor of Brussels Philippe Close tweeted.

In other parts of Belgium, there were also scuffles after the match. In the city of Liege, a group of about 50 people attacked a police station, breaking windows and damaging two police cars. In Liege, the police used a water cannon.

In Antwerp, the police arrested a dozen people after the clashes.

Neighbouring country Even in Holland, the police intervened in the rioting of fans who celebrated the victory of Morocco. Police and fans clashed in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

According to Rotterdam police, soccer fans threw torches and glass at the police.

Holland also has a large Moroccan minority, and after the match the streets of many cities were filled with fans honking car horns and waving Moroccan flags.