In Morocco FIFA World Cup The dream ended with another defeat for France, but the collapse of the game attracted international attention as major clashes broke out between fans and police in London, while Paris remained peaceful despite fears of widespread unrest.France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals on Thursday, knocking the Atlas Lions out of the World Cup for the second time in a row after also ending their campaign in the 2022 semi-finals.As celebrations and frustration spilled over into the streets, London’s Edgware Street became a chaotic scene, with riot police deployed to clear the crowd.Television footage showed heavily armed police marching through smoke-filled streets as flares, firecrackers and bottles were thrown at police lines. Police carrying shields and batons tried to disperse supporters, while another video appeared to show a police officer lying on the road injured.One video showed several officers beating a man to the ground before surrounding him, while in another, cars stopped as supporters waved Moroccan flags and climbed into cars.Sometimes it was inconsistent, with Moroccan fans seen playing football in the middle of the road before the police took them away.According to reports, one policeman was injured in the riot.The images also sparked a political backlash, with several commentators condemning the riots and calling for a tougher police force.
Paris avoids repeating the chaos of the past
Crossing the English Channel was very different.French authorities have deployed more than 8,000 police officers across Paris as they worry that France’s victory could lead to violence similar to that which took place after Champions League celebrations in Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year.Instead, supporters of France and Morocco celebrated peacefully despite traffic jams in famous places including the Champs-Élysées.Cars carrying French and Moroccan flags honked their horns as fans celebrated together, showing the close ties between the two countries, with France having one of the world’s largest Moroccan populations.Meanwhile, in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, the mood went from pre-kick-off optimism to disappointment after the Atlas Lions bowed out as the last African nation left in the tournament.Despite the defeat, Morocco left the competition to become the first African nation to reach multiple World Cup quarterfinals, adding another milestone by becoming the first semifinalist in 2022.
The old celebrations in The Hague were also violent
Thursday’s incident in London came just days after Moroccan fans clashed with police in The Hague following their Round-of-16 win over the Netherlands.Thousands of fans gathered in the Dutch city of Schilderswijk to celebrate Morocco’s penalty kick, but celebrations turned violent after fireworks were lit and officers were attacked with stones and pyrotechnics.Dutch riot police responded with water cannons and charges to disperse the crowd, while authorities confirmed that several people had been arrested in connection with the violence.Although Morocco’s incredible World Cup tour ended against France, the tournament has also shown the passion that the Atlas Lions inspire across Europe – celebrations that, on several occasions, have spilled over into football and into the public sphere.
