Morocco flies out of the World Cup – France wins. This causes tension in France. French police brace for riots. In some major cities, fans clash.
The mood in Montpellier seems to be getting hotter. According to Twitter videos, the fan groups of the respective teams face each other in the city center. Firecrackers are lit and thrown.
The mood in Montpellier is boiling
Riots broke out between the two fan camps on the Place de la Comédie. Videos show how the situation threatens to escalate. But the police would have brought the situation back under control. According to Midi Libre Montpellier, tear gas was used. After the tensions and skirmishes, there was now room for victory chants and the national anthem, which has meanwhile been sung several times.
In Paris it is different. It’s quiet partying on the Champs Élysée. Videos show fans arm in arm. In the Paris area alone, police had deployed 5,000 security forces to prevent riots. The Christmas-lit Champs-Elysées were lined on both sides with police cars with blue lights on, “a visible and deterrent presence”, the prefecture stressed. The police carried out bag checks at the metro exits at the Champs-Élysées.
Paris remains calm
Several access roads to Paris were closed from 10 p.m. to prevent traffic jams towards the Champs-Elysées. There were also numerous plainclothes police officers in the crowd. There are also festivities in Marseille, according to Twitter users, the mood is good, there are no riots. However, the police are on the scene with a large contingent.
Many people with Moroccan roots live in France. Relations between the two countries are tense as Morocco makes it more difficult to return illegal migrants from France – and in return, France has restricted the issuing of visas to Moroccans. (EU)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
