Tuesday, September 22, 2026

100 arrested in Brussels after Morocco World Cup defeat

Police in Brussels arrested some 100 people amid clashes over the end of Morocco’s 2022 World Cup fairytale run, as the team was beaten 2-0 by France.

• December 15, 2022
Fans clash with police in central Brussels, after Morocco lost 2-0 to France
Fans clash with police in central Brussels, after Morocco lost 2-0 to France [Credit: Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP]

Police in Brussels arrested some 100 people amid clashes over the end of Morocco’s 2022 World Cup fairytale run, as the team was beaten 2-0 by France in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

The detained fans were accused of disturbing the public order, damaging two police vehicles, and possession of prohibited fireworks, news agency Belga reported early Thursday, quoting the police.

According to the report, some of the roads in the city centre were cordoned off ahead of the match.

Images from Wednesday night showed piles of burning rubbish and a large police contingent deployed on the streets of Brussels, with officers clad in riot gear.

Photos published by Belga also showed residents who had started to clean up the streets on Wednesday evening.

Morocco became the first team from Africa to reach the final four in a World Cup after ousting Spain and Portugal in the last of 16 and the quarter-finals, respectively.

They also beat Belgium in the group stage.

Several people were also arrested amid clashes in Antwerp, to the north of the capital, Belga reported. 

(dpa/NAN) 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

UNGA81

Africa

UNGA81: Pan-African Parliament leading high-level delegation on climate action, pandemic

Mr Boutbig said, “The Pan-African Parliament carries the voices and aspirations of the African people.”

NationWide

FG woos investors, targets new markets for Nigeria’s gas

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, spoke at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

NDLEA

States

Delta, NDLEA sensitise pupils to dangers of illicit drugs

The school authorities described the initiative as timely and valuable.

Kano well

Heading 2

Fire service retrieves 52-year-old man’s body from Kwara well

Mr Adekunle noted that the location was said to be close to the residence of the deceased.

Ghanaian professor, Kofi Akamani and Betty Akamani

Heading 1

U.S.-based Ghanaian professor Kofi Akamani shot dead, wife arrested

Ms Akamani is scheduled to be back in court on October 6 for a preliminary hearing.

King Sunny Ade

NationWide

Fans celebrate iconic juju singer King Sunny Ade at 80

The octogenarian is also a recipient of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).