Moroccan fans clash with police in Brussels, France after defeat

Moroccan fans clashed with police in Brussels after Walid Regragui's side crashed out of the FIFA World Cup following a 0-2 defeat against France in the semi-final on Wednesday. Around 100 fans, who were wrapped in Moroccan flags, threw fireworks and other objects at police dressed in riot gear near Brussels South station. Fans set alight garbage bags and cardboard boxes and police responded with water cannon and tear gas. Police detained several fans and said that the clashes were brief and caused no serious damage, Reuters reported. 

After the match, Morocco coach Regragui said that his side gave its best and the semi-final defeat cannnot take away its heroics throughout the 2022 campaign in Qatar. "The most important thing is to have shown a good face, to have shown that football in Morocco exists and that we have great supporters. We gave it our best. ... [The loss] doesn't take away everything we gave before," Regragui said.

An unforgettable run. Thank you for the memories, Morocco

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2022

Riot police have been deployed across France after French supporters clashed with Moroccan fans following the World Cup semi-final between the two countries. Victory saw France supporters take to the streets to celebrate, but it also saw them clash with Moroccans in some areas.

France is a former colonial ruler of Morocco and has a large Moroccan diaspora, estimated to number around one million people, which is concentrated in Paris and the Mediterranean coast.