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ABC News
ABC News
National
Lara Smit

Teenage boy killed, France and Morocco fans clash with police, following World Cup semifinal

A teenage boy has died in France following unrest across several European cities in the aftermath of Morocco's 2-0 loss to France in the World Cup semifinals. 

The match, played in Qatar on Thursday morning, had political and emotional resonance for both countries, as Morocco was under French rule from 1912 until 1956.

While supporters of both teams were seen celebrating joyfully in French cities following the match, there were also disturbances from Brussels to Amsterdam and Lyon.

In Montpellier, a 14-year-old boy died after being hit by a car. 

He was taken to hospital but died soon after, French authorities said. 

Videos on social media showed a car flying a French flag out of its window being approached by a large group of people, one of which ripped the flag away.

The car then turned towards the group and drove away, hitting several people.

The vehicle since has been found and police are actively looking for the driver.

Arrests in Lyon

In Lyon, north of Montpellier, fights between law enforcement officers and supporters broke out in the streets.

Authorities reported that eight people had been arrested and seven police officers had been injured.

French news channel BFMTV reported that two of those arrested were members of a far-right group that had started the brawl at the start of the night.

Unrest in Brussels and Amsterdam

In Brussels about 100 football fans, some wrapped in Moroccan flags, briefly clashed with police in the city centre.

The fans threw fireworks and other objects at lines of police dressed in riot gear and set alight some garbage bags and cardboard boxes. 

Police responded with tear gas and a water cannon.

There were similar scenes in Amsterdam, where more than 100 soccer fans confronted police.

An emergency order was issued and riot police had to step in. 

Three minors were arrested for lighting heavy fireworks.

Fans react as France beat Morocco in their World Cup semifinal.
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