The Main Culprits of the Large-Scale Riots in Belgium Are the Victorious Morocco Fans

Breaking Windows and Throwing Fireworks... Police Suppress with Water Cannons and Tear Gas
Morocco Fans Intoxicated by Victory Clash with Police in the Netherlands and France

On the 27th (local time), when Belgium lost 2-0 to Morocco in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, barricades caught fire during clashes between Moroccan fans and riot police in downtown Brussels. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] After Morocco achieved a miraculous victory against Belgium in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, large-scale riots broke out in Belgium. Police officers trying to suppress the riots were even injured. However, the controversy arose locally because the rioters were not the Belgian fans who lost in the World Cup, but the victorious Moroccan fans.

On the 27th (Korean time) at 10 p.m., Morocco won 2-0 against Belgium in the second match of Group F in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup group stage held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. In the 73rd minute, Moroccan forward Abdelhamid Sabiri scored with a right-footed curling shot from a free kick earned on the left side of the Belgian box. The shot pierced the narrow gap between the near post and goalkeeper Courtois to become a goal. In the 2 minutes of added time in the second half, Morocco scored an additional goal by Zakaria Aboukhlal, who received a pass from Hakim Ziyech inside the box, securing Morocco’s first win in the Qatar World Cup. This was the first win in 24 years since the 3-0 victory over Scotland in the 1998 France World Cup.

The problem occurred immediately after the match. Approximately 500,000 Moroccans reside in Belgium, and shortly after this miraculous victory, dozens of excited Moroccan football fans took to the streets, smashing shop windows and throwing fireworks at vehicles in downtown Brussels, setting fires recklessly. According to the Associated Press, trash bins and electric scooters were also set on fire, and some people threw bricks at vehicles.

A BBC reporter posted a video of the Brussels streets on Twitter, writing, "Young Moroccan fans are engaging in uncontrolled 'celebrations'." Reuters also reported that riots broke out in several locations in Brussels that day, with dozens of football fans, including some draped in Moroccan flags, clashing with police.

At one point, about 100 police officers were deployed to suppress the riots, using water cannons and tear gas. Access to some central areas was restricted, and subway stations were closed.

The Brussels police explained, "Even before the match ended, dozens of people were confronting the police," adding that some fans were "carrying long sticks, and a reporter was injured in the face by fireworks." Philippe Close, the mayor of Brussels, criticized, saying, "The Moroccan fans enjoying themselves are not football fans but rioters."

The riots continued not only in Belgium but also in the Netherlands. Ecstatic Moroccan fans celebrated their victory immediately after the match by throwing torches and fireworks, causing chaos. They honked horns and waved flags while roaming the roads. In response, Dutch police, armed with batons and shields, suppressed the fans as the area became disorderly. Two police officers were injured during the suppression.

Dutch police announced on Twitter that about 500 people gathered at one point in downtown Rotterdam, and police forces were also deployed in The Hague, Amsterdam, and Utrecht.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.