Peace has returned to the Mercatorplein in Amsterdam-West after disturbances broke out earlier tonight after the win of Morocco during the World Cup match against Belgium. One person has been arrested for setting off heavy fireworks.
The unrest started in the late afternoon. Around 7.45 pm, the Amsterdam triangle of police, justice and mayor decided to deploy the riot police, but by then the square was almost empty. About 500 supporters were present during the riots. As a result, the streets around the square were difficult to pass.
After the Moroccan national team won 2-0 against Belgium this afternoon, the intersection between the Hoofdweg and the Jan Evertsenstraat was filled with frenzied football fans. At the beginning of the evening this was still a partying crowd, but then the atmosphere changed. Some supporters set off targeted fireworks at the police. In addition, several fires were set and a car was destroyed and set on fire. Local residents suffered greatly from the disturbances.
The police are investigating the incidents and do not rule out that more people will be arrested. Morocco will play against Canada next Thursday. The police report that they are looking at ‘what the disturbances mean for the deployment during the upcoming match’.
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