World Cup 2022: Moroccan Fans Briefly Clash With Police In Brussels After Semi-Final Loss
Soccer fans wrapped in Moroccan flags clashed with police on Wednesday evening in central Brussels after Morocco lost 2-0 to France in the World Cup semi-final.
Clashes broke out in France and Brussels after Morocco crashed out of the Fifa World Cup 2022 and a teenage boy was killed on the streets of Montpellier, reported the Daily Mail.
The 14-year-old boy was part of a large crowd of what appeared to be Moroccan supporters moving through Rue de la Mosson in the southern French city when they came across a white hatchback with a French flag flying out of its window according to the footage that emerged, the report added. The teenager came under the wheels when the driver who panicked took a hasty U-turn to cross into the oncoming lane for escaping the situation.
In central Brussels, soccer fans wrapped in Moroccan flags estimated to be 100 in number clashed with police on Wednesday after Morocco lost 2-0 to France in the semi-final, reported news agency Reuters.
The fans, who gathered near Brussels South station, ended up throwing fireworks and other objects at lines of police dressed in riot gear and set alight some garbage bags and cardboard boxes, reported the news agency.
In response, police fired water cannons and tear gas besides detaining several of the fans. However, the clashes were brief and caused no serious damage.
The incident took place after Morocco became the first African semi-finalist in the history of the World Cup. They are the first African team to secure a berth in the semis.
Morocco leave Qatar disappointed but filled with pride at having written their names into the history books by becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals, said the team coach Walid Regragui.
Morocco had beaten European heavyweights like Belgium, Portugal and Spain on their to the semis. Regragui said he had no regrets after his decision to name captain Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguero in his starting line-up for their World Cup semi-final loss to France.
With the defense hurting, France was able to take an early lead. Morocco had managed four shutouts through five games in Qatar but trailed early after Hernandez scored. Prior to that, the team's defense had conceded only an own-goal from Aguerd in the 2-1 win over Canada in the group stage.
France reached Sunday’s final against Argentina with a 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday night.
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