There is a lot of anger and disbelief among local residents around the Mercatorplein after the riots by Moroccan football fans last night after the victory against Belgium at the World Cup. About 500 fans flocked to the square after the 2-0 win. What was supposed to be a party ended in a rental car and a scooter on fire.
“It’s just that young kid. This has nothing to do with football and the love for the sport,” a lady responds to the riots. “I was shocked, it looked like war.” Another man also understands very little about the riots. “I have no words for it. They won, didn’t they?”
A woman who lives on Mercatorplein saw it all happen. “I don’t mind the party all that much. Only the fireworks and the fire are what really made me locked up in my own house for hours.” The local resident is therefore not satisfied with the actions of the police. “I called as early as 4:30 p.m. and several times after that. They said they were working on it, and it kept escalating.” The police say they have yet to respond to the riots.
Thursday against Canada
Morocco will play its last group match against Canada on Thursday. The North African country can then qualify for the eighth finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
The local resident hopes that things will go better on Thursday. “I may hope that the police and the mayor will intervene if things get out of hand. It is not the first time this has happened, but I want to keep a little faith.