The Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco, in Brussels, today, November 27, ended in violence as Morocco defeated Belgium 2-0 in the ongoing World Cup competition in Qatar.
Reports said that dozens of people were attacked while some fans smashed shop windows, threw fireworks, burnt vehicles, with police using water cannon and teargas after coming under attack from football supporters who brought havoc to the centre of Brussels.
It was said that even before the end of the match, “dozens of people, including some that wore hoodies, sought confrontation with the police, which compromised public safety,” Brussels police said in a statement.
A spokeswoman said some fans were armed with sticks and a journalist “was injured in the face by fireworks”.
About a hundred police officers were mobilised while residents were warned to avoid certain areas of the city centre. Metro stations were closed and streets blocked to limit the spread of the violence.
The Mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close tweeted: “I condemn in the strongest terms the incidents of this afternoon. The police have already firmly intervened. I therefore advise against fans coming to the city centre. The police are doing all they can to maintain public order.
“I have ordered the police to carry out arrests of the troublemakers.”
