| Translate This News In |
|---|
On the Champs-Elysees avenue in central Paris on Wednesday, French fans waved tricolour flags and let off flares to celebrate Les Bleus’ victory over Morocco, which advanced them to the World Cup final.
Given the possibility of clashes between French supporters and supporters of France’s former North African colony, 10,000 police officers were deployed across France to ensure there was no unrest during and after the match.
However, there was little tension as supporters thronged the end of the avenue leading to the Arc de Triomphe in emotional but mostly amicable scenes, with Moroccan supporters accepting defeat, according to AFP correspondents.
“We’ve made it to the championship game. We’ve made it to the championship round,” Hundreds of French supporters chanted as drivers sounded horns and anti-riot police lurked in vans lining the street.
“What a pleasure to play Argentina in the final,” Sylvain Badin, 24, said, clutching a French flag. “I came to share in your happiness.”
Dozens of Moroccan fans made themselves heard in the area during the game, swathing themselves in national flags and watching the game on their phones.
When Morocco and France advanced to the semi-finals of the World Cup last weekend, there were 170 arrests across the country, including more than 100 in Paris.
‘We are together.’
However, the celebrations appeared to be free of tension, and a French anti-riot police van even used one of its sirens to mark the moment Kolo Muani scored to give France a 2-0 lead.
However, police intervened to disperse a group of fans who were setting off fireworks around the Arc de Triomphe.
A group of about 40 people associated with far-right groups were arrested for carrying prohibited weapons, according to a police source, as they prepared to march towards the Champs-Elysees.
An AFP photographer said trash cans were set on fire after the game in the southern city of Nice, where thousands had gathered.
When supporters started throwing firecrackers in Lyon’s central Place Bellecour, police used tear gas.
France’s relationship with Morocco is not nearly as traumatic as its relationship with Algeria, another former colony that fought a bloody seven-year War of Independence that has left both nations scarred to this day.
However, Morocco, which gained independence in 1956, has grievances with France, most notably over the issue of visas.
More than a million Moroccans are thought to live in France, and security forces had been on high alert for any clashes like those in Brussels that marked Morocco’s shock win over Belgium in the group stages.
“We are happy for France,” said Hossam Boutalah, 20, who was carrying a Moroccan flag in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, where the central square was packed for the match.
“After all, we are brothers, and we are here together. It’s our second home. Morocco played well and earned their goal.”
