Clashes erupt in Brussels after Belgium loses World Cup match to Morocco, 12 detained
Police detained 12 people and made an arrest after Morocco’s victory over Belgium in the World Cup match in Qatar triggered clashes in Brussels. Rioters set a car and some electric scooters on fire.
The violence took place in several places across the Belgian capital where dozens of soccer fans, some draped in Moroccan flags, clashed. Police retaliated with water cannons and tear gas.
Around 7 pm calm returned and preventive patrols remain in place in the sectors concerned,” police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere was quoted by Reuters as saying.
“The rioters used pyrotechnic material, projectiles, sticks, and set fire on the public highway,” the police said. “Also, a journalist was injured in the face by fireworks. It is for these reasons that it was decided to proceed with a police intervention, with the deployment of water cannon and the use of tear gas,” the police said.
On Sunday, Morocco earned only their third World Cup win against FIFA’s second-best-ranked team, Belgium, with goals from Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
(With input from Reuters)
