Riot police intervene in Dutch cities after Moroccos World Cup defeat sparks unrest

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Riot police intervene in Dutch cities after Moroccos World Cup defeat sparks unrest
Morocco reach World Cup quarterfinals with 3-0 win over Canada, set up France clash
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Morocco’s 2-0 quarter-final defeat to France at the 2026 World Cup triggered overnight unrest in several Dutch cities, prompting riot police to intervene in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague after crowds took to the streets in protest.
Riot police units were deployed in all three cities between midnight and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, 10 July 2026, after groups of disappointed Moroccan supporters defied calls to disperse. In Amsterdam’s Nieuw-West district, officers made multiple arrests following disturbances near Plein 40-45, where small groups lingered after the match. Police reported eight arrests for disturbing public order, dangerous driving and throwing a brick at an officer . Around 220 fines were issued on Cornelis Lelylaan for running red lights, driving on tram tracks and speeding.
In Rotterdam, riot police moved in near the 1e Middellandstraat after several hundred people ignored appeals from community leaders to go home. The city’s police described the atmosphere as “generally quite good,” though tensions flared locally. In The Hague’s Schilderswijk, officers were pelted with glass bottles on and around Vaillantlaan and Hoefkade, prompting a swift response. Riot police restored calm by 1:00 a.m., with no further incidents reported.
Dutch media described the initial post-match mood as festive, with honking, fireworks and celebratory driving reported across the three cities. However, isolated groups escalated into disorder, leading to arrests and property damage. RTL Nieuws reported that in The Hague, protesters shouted “All Jews are gays” before bottles were thrown .
The disturbances extended beyond the Netherlands. In Antwerp, Belgian police arrested seven people and reported that a police van was targeted with fireworks after the same match .
Authorities across the Low Countries emphasised that calm had largely returned by dawn, with no serious injuries reported among officers or the public. Police spokespeople in Amsterdam and Rotterdam noted that the vast majority of fans had left peacefully, and that the interventions were targeted responses to isolated incidents. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has not yet announced charges, but local prosecutors confirmed that cases are under review.
The unrest underscores the emotional investment of Moroccan-Dutch communities in the national team’s World Cup campaign, even as football authorities urge fans to celebrate responsibly.
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