Celebrations over France’s 2-0 win over Morocco in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals match turned violent, with football fans burning public property in Brussels and parts of Paris and Nice. The police had to intervene and use tear gas to disperse the rioters
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There were celebrations and there was sorrow. However, sorrow soon turned to violence and parts of Brussels and France experienced riots following the loss of Morocco to France in the 2022 World Cup semi-final match. AFP
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In Brussels, the police arrested some 100 people for vandalism and protesting on the streets after Morocco’s 0-2 loss to France. The fans set alight garbage bags and cardboard boxes, forcing the the police to respond with water cannon and tear gas. AFP
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Moroccan supporters light up a fire in a street after Morocco’s football team lost the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match against France, in Brussels. AFP
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The semi-final match between Morocco and France had the additional baggage of colonialism. Between 1912 and 1956, most of modern day Morocco was a French colony. AFP
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Belgian riot police officers stand in a street in Brussels during the clashes. AFP
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In France too, similar riots broke out with the police making over 170 arrests. Officers dispersed a group of fans using fireworks near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and deployed tear gas against soccer fans who set off firecrackers in the southern city of Nice. AFP
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On the streets of Montpellier, a 14-year-old boy was struck down by a moving car. Footage posted to social media showed fans pulling a French flag off the vehicle in question before the driver performed a sudden U-turn. AFP

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