A police officer sustained injuries and multiple arrests were made after disturbances erupted in London on Thursday night, following France’s 2-0 victory over Morocco in a World Cup quarter-final held in Boston, USA. Tensions flared between police and fans on Edgware Road.
Videos circulating on social media depict scenes of chaos, with flares ignited and objects hurled at law enforcement amidst the unrest in the capital. The Metropolitan Police reported that four individuals were arrested for violent behavior, and one officer was transported to the hospital due to a head injury caused by a glass bottle.
According to police, officers were initially summoned when a crowd gathered and obstructed traffic. The situation escalated as the group began to throw bottles and set off fireworks, prompting the deployment of additional officers to the area.
“Officers were initially called after a group of people congregated in the road and blocked traffic. The incident then escalated with the group throwing bottles and setting off fireworks. As a result, further officers were deployed to the area. “One officer was taken to hospital for head injuries; it is believed he had been hit by a glass bottle. No other injuries were reported. Officers remained in the area and made four arrests for violent disorder, with the group dispersing and the road reopened from around 1am. “We will not tolerate such disorder on our streets, or attacks on our officers … we will be reviewing CCTV and video footage circulating on social media to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.”
the police stated. They further emphasized, “We will not tolerate such disorder on our streets, or attacks on our officers… we will be reviewing CCTV and video footage circulating on social media to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, the UK Football Policing Unit noted that 223 incidents connected to the England-Mexico match earlier in the week were recorded across England and Wales, including six hate crime incidents and 32 cases of domestic abuse, resulting in 42 arrests related to England’s dramatic win, during which pubs were permitted to serve alcohol until 5am.
In France, a tragic incident occurred when a 17-year-old girl fell from a truck while celebrating her nation’s victory over Morocco. Emergency services reported that she “fell and was run over” by the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene in Aulnoye-Aymeries, close to the northern city of Maubeuge.
The truck’s driver has been taken into custody, while another teenager who witnessed the incident was hospitalized due to shock, according to authorities.
Celebrations erupted throughout France after the match, with hundreds of revelers dancing in the streets of Paris, all under the watchful eye of thousands of police officers assigned to maintain order.
