A boy has died in Montpellier after France and Morocco fans clashed in violent scenes following the World Cup semi-final.
France booked their spot in Sunday's final with a 2-0 win over Morocco to end the African side's fairytale that ran deep into the knockout stages. However, the result prompted clashes in parts of France, including ugly scenes in Montpellier which were captured on camera.
A statement issued by the local government office has now said that a boy was killed in the violence after he was "violently hit" by a car. The Department of Herault said he was transferred to the hospital, but died shortly after arrival.
Police are investigating and the vehicle was found near the scene. Video shared on social media showed crowds milling around a car being driven erratically in the street.
Other footage showed fireworks and flares being thrown as tempers boiled over after the World Cup clash held in Qatar. at Screaming was heard at the city’s Place de la Comédie as groups of men threw fireworks and flares at each other before tear gas was used by police.
Footage showed men picking up chairs off the floor and wielding them while waving French flags. Calm appeared to be restored eventually, with France fans remaining in the square to celebrate their win peacefully.
Meanwhile, in Paris, riot police were deployed on the Champs-Elysees in an effort to disperse crowds. Footage shared on social media showed hooded men reportedly chasing Moroccans down the streets following full-time. Incidents were also reported in Nice and Lyon.
France is a former colonial ruler of Morocco and has a large Moroccan diaspora, estimated to number around one million people, which is concentrated in Paris and the Mediterranean coast. Trouble was anticipated by the French authorities, who decided to mobilise some 10,000 police across the country. A whopping 5,000 of those were delegated for the area of Paris.
"Our Moroccan friends, just like the French supporters, are welcome to organise a party and our job is not to stop them from partying... but this will have to be done under good security conditions," French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said.
Police set up checkpoints to search fans for flares and smoke bombs and were tasked with trying to prevent vandalism and aggression. The measures were put in place after clashes had erupted in Paris after Morocco’s celebrations at defeating Portugal on December 10 turned violent.
Jeanne d'Hauteserre, local mayor responsible for the Parisian district, had expressed concern well in advance of Wednesday’s game, telling French CNews: "When you want to celebrate victory, you don't come with mortars. But these people are really only coming to smash with iron bars.
“For Wednesday, everyone is afraid of a war, a guerrilla war, a civil war, and we do not want the Champs-Elysees to be transformed into a battlefield."
