Chaos erupted in Brussels on Sunday after Morocco beat Belgium 2-0 at the World Cup in Qatar. About 100 officers in riot gear used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the rioters, who lit fires on the street and threw missiles at police. Authorities asked the public to avoid the central Brussels area and several metro stations, while bus and tram lines were shut down.
It is unclear what caused the violence, which one local resident said began during half-time, and authorities have so far not apportioned blame. ‘Those are not fans, they are rioters. Moroccan fans are there to celebrate,’ said the mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close. There were also disturbances reported in the cities of Antwerp and Liège.
