French supporters hoisted tricolour flags and fired off flares on the Champs-Elysees in central Paris on Wednesday to celebrate Les Bleus’ triumph over Morocco. France’s World Cup victory brings jubilation to the Champs-Elysees. 10,000 police were mobilized across France to ensure a peaceful contest and aftermath, considering the potential confrontation between French and Algerian fans.
France’s World Cup victory brings jubilation to the Champs-Elysees
AFP correspondents said that Moroccan fans accepted defeat emotionally. Bu good-natured circumstances at the end of the boulevard leading to the Arc de Triomphe. One hundred seventy arrests nationally, 100 in Paris, as Morocco and France reached the semi-finals. Together Kolo Muani’s goal gave France a decisive 2-0 lead. a French anti-riot police van sounded its siren to celebrate.
Anti-riot police dispersed spectators lighting off fireworks around the Arc de Triomphe. An AFP photographer reported garbage cans were set on fire in Nice after the game. Thus, crowds congregated. In Lyon, police used tear gas when supporters lit firecrackers in Place Bellecour.
France’s relationship with Morocco isn’t as traumatic as that with Algeria. Fought Paris in a seven-year War of Independence that still scars both nations. Morocco, which gained independence in 1956, has disputes with France, especially over visas. Over a million Moroccans live in France, and security authorities were alert for conflicts like those in Brussels after Morocco’s group-stage triumph over Belgium.
“We are in the final. We are in the final,” hundreds of French supporters chanted as drivers sounded horns and anti-riot police lurked in vans lining the area.
“What pleasure it will be to play Argentina in the final,” said Sylvain Badin, 24, clutching a French flag. “I came to share a moment of joy,” he added.
“Plus, we are happy for France,” said Hossam Boutalah, 20, with a Moroccan flag on his back in the southwestern city of Bordeaux. Also, where the central square was packed for the match.
“We are brothers after all, we are together. It is our second country. Morocco played well and would have deserved to score a goal,” he said.
