Football fans vented their anger in Brussels by starting fires and smashing up cars after Belgium’s 2-0 shock loss to Morocco at the World Cup.
Police had to seal off parts of the city centre, deployed water cannons and fired tear gas to disperse crowds as violence broke out following the match.
Dozens of rioters set steps on fire and pelted cars with bricks, before police moved in when one person suffered facial injuries, according to a police spokesperson.
Brussels mayor Philippe Close urged soccer fans to stay away from the city center and said authorities were doing their utmost to keep order in the streets. Even subway and tram traffic had to be interrupted on police orders.
Morocco’s victory was a major upset at the tournament and was enthusiastically celebrated by fans with Moroccan immigrant roots in many Belgian cities.
It was not immediately clear how many people were detained during the disturbances.
