Milan/Paris – Again riots in European cities after Morocco’s victory in the World Cup!
Fans all over the world celebrated after the Moroccan national team made it into the semi-finals of the World Cup. Most football festivals were non-violent.
In European metropolises, thousands were on the streets – not always peacefully. There were serious clashes with the police in Paris. And in Milan a terrible crime happened!
Knife attack in Milan
► Around 5,000 fans celebrated in the northern Italian metropolis, most of them Moroccans. According to unanimous Italian media reports, a dispute suddenly broke out on Corso Buenos Aires in the city center. A 30-year-old tried to mediate and was then attacked with a stabbing weapon or a sharp object.
The 30-year-old’s blood spilled onto the tarmac while first responders tended to the man
The attacker injured his victim in the neck, reports “The Gazette of Sport”. Then the man fell to the ground, bleeding. First responders treated him while witnesses watched the situation in horror. Photos show how the seriously injured man was later taken to an ambulance by paramedics.
The mood among the Morocco fans in Milan was exuberant and later turned violent
The injured man is taken away by paramedics
It is not yet known whether the suspect escaped in the turmoil of the crowds. According to current information from the Gazzetta, he is said to be an Eastern European.
The condition of the mediator is still critical. He was taken to the hospital and is said to be in mortal danger with internal bleeding.
Serious riots in Paris
The mood in Paris quickly escalated
► Around 20,000 fans took to the streets in Paris to celebrate after the win and sensational progress to the semi-finals. It was not peaceful here either.
Violence erupted in various places. Fireworks and pyros were lit, but fires were also set. The police had to intervene.
A motorcycle was set on fire
With a massive contingent and tear gas, the security forces advanced against the rioters. Violent clashes broke out between police and troublemakers, including the use of batons. 74 people were arrested.
The Paris police used tear gas against the rioters
“Notbefehl” in Amsterdam
► After Morocco’s entry into the World Cup semi-finals, the celebrations of thousands of fans in a number of large cities in the Netherlands escalated. In Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, the riot police arrived on Saturday evening to keep the streets in order.
In Amsterdam, numerous Morocco fans took to the streets again. Not everyone celebrated peacefully
In Amsterdam, police reported multiple arrests after fans set off heavy firecrackers. The crowd was asked to clear an area. The mayor had a emergency order‘ enacted.
According to the police, there were also arrests in Rotterdam, and a central square was cleared by the riot police. The police in Utrecht reported property damage.
In recent weeks there have been repeated riots in the Netherlands after the Moroccan national team has won games. Groups prepared to use violence repeatedly set fire to cars, attacked security forces or threw pyrotechnics and bottles at each other.
60 arrests in Brussels
► There was also another riot in the Belgian capital Brussels after Morocco reached the semi-finals. At first, the North African fans celebrated peacefully.
In Belgium’s capital, Brussels, the situation escalated again. Police officers were attacked
But then the mood changed in several places. According to the Belgian news agency Belga, citing a police spokeswoman, revelers massively used pyrotechnics after the 1-0 win over Portugal. Small groups threw objects at the police officers. 60 people were arrested.
During previous North African victories, there had been riots in Brussels by supporters of Morocco.
In Germany, fans celebrated exuberantly but peacefully
The surprise 1-0 win over Portugal was also celebrated in Germany. The atmosphere was relaxed, but there were no excesses of violence.
︎ In Berlin there were several arrests after a motorcade.
Thousands celebrated in Frankfurt am Main
︎ Fireworks were set off in Frankfurt am Main, but “everything remained peaceful,” said a police spokesman.
In Düsseldorf, the police showed a strong presence in the city center
An estimated 2,000 people gathered in downtown Düsseldorf. Firecrackers and bengalos were lit, smoke lay over the area inhabited by many North Africans. Numerous police officers were on duty. However, there are currently no reports of arrests.
