Belgium-Morocco match at the World Cup: violence erupts in Brussels after the defeat of the Red Devils

A few “dozens of people” attacked street furniture and the police on Sunday evening, according to the police in the Belgian capital.

A policeman in Brussels (Belgium) on November 27, 2022, after scenes of violence following the Belgium-Morocco match of the 2022 World Cup. (AFP)

Violence broke out on Sunday (November 27th) in Brussels (Belgium), following Morocco’s victory over Belgium at the FIFA World Cup. A few “dozens of people” attacked street furniture and the police, according to the police. Even before the end of the match, in the city center, “dozens of people, some of them hooded, sought confrontation with the police, which compromised public safety”, announced the police in a communicated.

Police reported the use of pyrotechnics, the throwing of projectiles, protesters armed with batons, a fire on the public highway and the destruction of a traffic light. “A journalist was injured in the face by fireworks”, still according to the police, who then decided to intervene with a water cannon and tear gas. A hundred police officers, who suffered projectiles, were mobilized in this intervention.

Mayor condemns violence

The police have asked residents and supporters to avoid certain areas of the city center. Metro stations have been closed and streets blocked off to limit crowds. “I condemn in the strongest terms the incidents of this afternoon. The police have already intervened firmly. I therefore advise against fans coming to the city center. The police are doing all they can to maintain public order,” reacted the mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, on Twitter. “I have ordered the police to carry out administrative arrests of the troublemakers,” he added.