Riot police take to the streets of Belgium amid fears of trouble after the country was knocked out of the World Cup
- Riot police deployed in Brussels to prevent supporters from getting out of hand
- Footage shows fans setting off flares in streets lined with officers
- Belgian police detained a dozen people on Sunday after riots in the capital
Riot police were deployed in Brussels for the match between Belgium and Croatia on Thursday following riots at the weekend after the nation’s shock 2-0 defeat to Morocco.
Belgium tumbled out of the group after a 0-0 draw in a game that kicked off at 3pm GMT.
Morocco also beat Canada in a match that ended 2-1, played at the same time.
The frustration of the night was summed up by Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who punched the plexiglass window of the dugout after the final whistle.
Pictured: Police officers in riot gear walk in a line in Brussels after the Canada vs Morocco match
Pictured: Police officers stand guard in Brussels after the game against Morocco
Ilse Van de keere, spokesperson for Brussels police told Belgian newspaper Le Soir ahead of the game: ‘We will be very vigilant and we will be visible from the start of the match with more police officers on the ground.’
Images released this evening by the AP news agency show police anti-riot vehicles taking position in downtown Brussels prior to the start of the match.
In one image, the vehicles block the entrance of a Christmas market.
Pictured: Police riot officers with dogs face Morocco fans celebrating their victory at the World Cup group F football match against Canada
Pictured: Police riot officers amongst a crowd of Morocco fans celebrating after the game on December 1
In another photograph posted by Reuters news agency police in riot gear stand in front of Morocco fans after the match against Canada.
Footage shows Moroccan fans celebrating in the streets, waving flags and setting off flares while police line the streets holding shields.
In another scene the revellers climb on top of a city bus and dance around a car.
In Antwerp on Thursday evening police arresting 35 people and three officers were injured, the Brussels Times reports.
It added that police closed parts of Turnhoutsebaan in Borgerhout, and Sint-Bernardsesteenweg in Hoboken, after people celebrating Morocco’s victory against Canada took to the streets, some of them with fireworks.
Pictured: A Moroccan supporter lights a flare in the street after the match
Pictured: Supporters hold Morocco’s national flag as they make their way through the city
Belgian police detained a dozen people and made one arrest on Sunday after the riots in Brussels.
The unrest took place in several parts of the Belgian capital, where scores of football fans, some draped in Moroccan flags, clashed with riot police who used water cannons and tear gas against them.
‘Around 7pm calm returned and preventive patrols remain in place in the sectors concerned,’ Van de Keere said.
Pictured: Police riot officers face Morocco fans after the win against Canada
Pictured: Morocco fans film the police presence in the city on Thursday
‘The rioters used pyrotechnic material, projectiles, sticks, and set fire on the public highway,’ the police said.
‘Also, a journalist was injured in the face by fireworks. It is for these reasons that it was decided to proceed with a police intervention, with the deployment of water cannon and the use of tear gas,’ the police said.
Ilse Van de keere, spokesperson for Brussels police told Belgian newspaper Le Soir ahead of the game, which kicked off at 3pm GMT: ‘We will be very vigilant and we will be visible from the start of the match with more police officers on the ground.’
Brussels mayor Philippe Close said on Sunday: ‘I strongly condemn the incidents that occurred this afternoon. The police have already acted harshly.
‘So I advise supporters not to come to the centre.
‘The police are doing everything they can to maintain public order.’