Defeat for Belgium: riots in Brussels after the World Cup game

Created: 2022-11-28 05:22

By: Stefanie Fischhaber

After the World Cup defeat by Morocco, riots broke out in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

© Nicolas Maeterlinck/dpa

After Belgium's defeat in the World Cup match against Morocco, football fans rioted in the capital, Brussels.

Brussels - After the bitter World Cup bankruptcy of the Belgian national soccer team against Morocco, violent clashes broke out in the capital Brussels.

According to the police, the street furniture was destroyed and officials were thrown with objects.

Around a hundred police officers were on duty.

Football fans riot in Brussels: 100 police officers on duty

According to the police, "a few dozen people" devastated parts of the city center on Sunday afternoon after Belgium's 2-0 defeat and attacked the security forces.

Even before the final whistle of the game, the violent criminals are said to have sought a confrontation with the law enforcement officers.

As a result, “public safety was endangered”.

"We just want to celebrate, but the police won't let us and that creates tension," the daily De Standaard quoted 24-year-old Morocco fan Mohammed as saying.

A journalist was injured in the face by a firecracker, after which the police used water cannon and tear gas, it was said.

In addition to pyrotechnics, some of the perpetrators, some of whom were armed with sticks, used projectiles.

Others set fire to a street and destroyed a traffic light.

Around 100 police officers with water cannons had to take action against fans, the Belga news agency reported on Sunday afternoon. 

Riots in Brussels after the World Cup game: citizens should avoid parts of the city

The police asked the population to avoid certain parts of the city center.

Some subway stations and streets have been closed to avoid crowds.

“The police have already intervened vigorously.

I therefore advise all fans not to come to the city center,” Brussels Mayor Philippe Close wrote on Twitter.

He had ordered the arrest of troublemakers.

At the request of the police, local transport in Brussels was partially stopped, as the local transport company also announced on Twitter.

The Belgian national team around the ex-Bundesliga star Kevin De Bruyne is threatened with the preliminary round after the surprising defeat.

Vice world champion Croatia, the supposedly strongest opponent, awaits on Thursday.