Remarkable images: the elderly hold back young hotheads with a human chain in Brussels and Antwerp after Morocco pushes through at the World Cup | Brussels

According to reporters from HLN and VTM NEWS who are on the scene in Brussels, a few thousand people have gathered to celebrate Morocco’s victory.

At around 7:15 p.m., the situation in the Lemonnierlaan became grim. A huge number of bombs and rockets were fired, some of which were aimed at the police. The police deployed tear gas. Some wanted to approach the police. It was especially striking how older men pushed the younger ones back to avoid confrontation. Then peace returned.

LOOK. The elderly use human chains to stop young hotheads.

Here and there in Brussels, traffic or public transport has been disrupted by the many people gathering in the street. Fireworks are also set off. The police have not yet reported any incidents. Riot police were visibly present before the game to prevent riots. After Morocco’s victory over Belgium on Sunday, disturbances broke out in Brussels and other Belgian cities.

Fans are also partying in Borgerhout (Antwerp). The police have preventively closed Turnhoutsebaan and Sint-Bernardsesteenweg, no major incidents have been reported for the time being. Here, too, the elderly prevent the young people from confronting the police.

“We thought it would be best to form a chain,” says 28-year-old Zakaria. “We wanted to send our boys back as quietly as possible so that everyone could celebrate in peace. We’re through and that’s the most important thing. We feared a confrontation with the police for a while. If we hadn’t done anything, something probably would have happened. But the boys went back to the back laughing and partying, so it’s okay. There are bad apples, but we do our best to let everyone party.”

The closure of the two busy connecting roads also means that a number of De Lijn trams and buses in Antwerp will have to make a detour. It is not clear how long the disruption will last. The police will remain vigilant on site until the revelers have returned home and peace has returned.

LOOK. Fans are also celebrating in Antwerp.

In the Netherlands, revelers in The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam took to the streets to celebrate Morocco’s victory. Hundreds of people are on their feet in the Schilderswijk in The Hague. There was a grim atmosphere. Six people have been arrested for public assault and possession of heavy fireworks. One officer was injured.

On the Mercatorplein in Amsterdam-West, the police intervened on Thursday evening after riots surrounding Morocco’s win over Canada during the World Cup in Qatar, a spokesman said. Heavy fireworks were set off and the police urged everyone to leave. Police walked the square with long batons and dogs after people failed to leave. It is not clear whether anyone has been arrested.

LOOK. Ritual washer denounces riots: “You make them racists!”

LOOK. Moroccan community is tired of rioting youths