Celebrations, some unrest after France bests Morocco in World Cup semis

Morocco’s loss to France at the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday night was met with anger and rioting by some in Paris and Brussels, though overall reactions to the game were largely peaceful.

Around 10,000 police officers were mobilized across France to ensure there was no unrest during and after the match, given the potential of clashes between French supporters and those backing France’s one-time North African colony.

But there was little sign of tension as supporters thronged the end of the avenue leading to the Arc de Triomphe in impassioned but largely good-natured scenes, with Moroccan supporters accepting defeat, AFP correspondents said.

“We are in the final. We are in the final,” hundreds of French supporters chanted as drivers sounded horns and anti-riot police lurked in vans lining the area.

When Morocco and France made the semi-finals over the weekend, there were 170 arrests nationwide, including more than 100 in Paris. But celebrations appeared free of tension and a French anti-riot police van even used one of its sirens to mark the moment when Kolo Muani scored the goal to give France a 2-0 lead.

Police did however use tear gas to disperse a group of fans who were setting off fireworks around the Arc de Triomphe. A total of 115 arrests took place in the Paris area, including 101 in Paris, police headquarters said early Thursday morning.

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In the southern city of Nice, trash cans were set on fire after the game in the center of the city where thousands had gathered, an AFP photographer said.

In Lyon, police used tear gas when supporters began to let off firecrackers in the central Place Bellecour.

In Montpellier, a 14-year-old was hit by a car in a crowd of people reacting to the game, and later declared dead in a hospital, according to police. Police said the driver fled the scene, though his vehicle was recovered and an investigation was underway.

In Belgium, scuffles briefly broke out in Brussels after the game and authorities countered with water cannon and tear gas after they were targeted. One and a half hours later, a tense calm had returned. Media reports spoke of 40 detentions. There also was some unrest in northern Antwerp.

After the final whistle blew, a group of football fans in downtown Brussels threw fireworks and set fires in the street.

Riot police moved in rapidly, dispersing the crowd with a water cannon and deploying tear gas.

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In Gaza, Palestinians who thronged cafes and outdoor large screens expressed disappointment at Morocco’s loss.

“All of Gaza is now sad for this result. We were hoping they would win,” said Wael al-Riffi, a Gaza resident, as he held Morocco’s flag.

The Palestinians felt empathy from the Moroccan national team as players held the Palestinian flag several times at the World Cup.