Riots in Belgium, Netherlands after Morocco’s World Cup victory, a dozen people detained

Riots broke out in several cities in Belgium and the Netherlands following Morocco’s 2-0 victory over Belgium at the World Cup on Sunday. Police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds in Brussels. Police detained about a dozen people in Brussels, while eight were also held in the northern city of Antwerp. Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse van de Keere said several rioters took to the streets, setting cars, e-scooters on fire and pelting stones at vehicles.

The police took action after one person was injured in the incident. Brussels Mayor Philippe Clos urged people not to gather in the city center and said authorities were doing everything possible to restore order on the streets. However, train and tram traffic has been disrupted following police orders. Klose said, “These people are not fans of the game, they are rioters.” Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said, “It is sad to see how a handful of people are making the situation worse.”

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Police in the neighboring Netherlands said violence broke out in Rotterdam as riot officers tried to stop a football supporter group of about 500 people who pelted stones at police and set arson and vandalism. Two police officers were injured in the incident. Unrest was reported in several cities late Sunday evening. According to media reports, there is an atmosphere of unrest in the country’s capital Amsterdam and The Hague.