In light of the exuberant celebrations by Moroccan fans during previous matches in this World Cup, French authorities anticipated potential violence on the streets during the night from Thursday to Friday. The connection between France and Morocco runs deep, with approximately two million people of Moroccan descent residing in France, a bond that still resonates due to their colonial history. However, following France's 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarter-finals, widespread riots did not occur, with only two arrests reported in the Grenoble area linked to minor disturbances.
In a separate incident in Northern France, a tragic event unfolded when a 17-year-old girl was fatally struck by a truck after climbing onto it during the celebrations. The incident highlights the mix of jubilation and danger that often accompanies such large public gatherings.
Enhanced Security Measures Across France
Prior to the match, the French Ministry of the Interior and local municipalities implemented several precautionary measures to ensure public safety. The carrying of weapons and fireworks was prohibited in the greater Paris area, and drinking alcohol in public spaces was banned in parts of Southern France. Additionally, several metro and regional train stations were closed for safety reasons, with an impressive deployment of 8,000 police officers on duty in Paris alone. Despite these precautions, the atmosphere remained predominantly festive, as fans gathered in various locations to watch the game on large screens.
The lively neighborhood of Marais in Paris was closed to vehicular traffic until 2 AM, allowing fans to celebrate freely. While the city opted against a central viewing location, Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire explained his preference for multiple smaller fan zones to mitigate the risk of disturbances. His aim was to foster a celebratory environment where everyone felt secure, and reports of unrest in Paris remained absent until Friday morning.
Contrasting Scenes in London and Düsseldorf
In stark contrast, London experienced tensions as clashes erupted between Moroccan fans and police on Edgware Road. Reports indicated that a police officer was injured by a glass bottle, leading to four arrests in the area known for its Moroccan community. Demonstrators gathered during halftime, igniting fireworks and blocking traffic with large Moroccan flags. Similarly, celebrations in Düsseldorf took a turn for the worse, with disturbances leading to injuries among three police officers and the arrest of two young fans.
Even in the United States, a minor incident occurred, where Moroccan fans reportedly set off fireworks outside the French team's hotel the night before the match, trying to disrupt the players' sleep with chants and drum music. Security forces managed to quell this disruption, which did not seem to affect the French team's performance; they advanced past Morocco with a decisive 2-0 win.
In the aftermath, Moroccan fans in France took the defeat in stride, with one fan humorously revealing his French jersey underneath his Moroccan shirt, stating, "That's just how it is to be Franco-Moroccan, folks." The overall sentiment among the Moroccan community was one of resilience and calm acceptance of the outcome of the match. As reported by tagesspiegel.de.
