Belgium-Morocco World Cup match triggers riots in Brussels, dozen people detained
Clashes in Brussels after the World Cup football match between Belgium and Morocco - Brussels, Belgium - November 27, 2022 A man with his face covered and a fire extinguisher is seen during clashes after the World Cup match between Belgium and Morocco REUTERS/Yves Herman
Belgian police detained a dozen people and made one arrest on Sunday after Morocco's victory over Belgium in the World Cup match in Qatar triggered riots in Brussels with a car and some electric scooters set on fire.
The riots took place in several places across the Belgian capital where dozens of soccer fans, some draped in Moroccan flags, clashed with riot police with water cannons and tear gas.
"Around 7 p.m. calm returned and preventive patrols remain in place in the sectors concerned," police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere said.
"The rioters used pyrotechnic material, projectiles, sticks, and set fire on the public highway," the police said. "Also, a journalist was injured in the face by fireworks. It is for these reasons that it was decided to proceed with a police intervention, with the deployment of water cannon and the use of tear gas," the police said.