ARCHIVED - Riot police on high alert ahead of Spain-Morocco World Cup clash

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

Authorities are expecting “public order disturbances” across Spain following tonight’s match

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Riot police on high alert ahead of Spain-Morocco World Cup clash

Spain faces off against Morocco in the latest round of the World Cup knock-out stages on Tuesday December 6 and the authorities are already on high alert against possible riots similar to those experienced when Belgium were beaten last week.

The Directorate of National Police has issued a statement asking its riot forces to have “specific devices planned” ahead of the deciding clash which is expected to result in “public order disturbances” up and down the country.

Meanwhile, several Moroccan consulates and the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities have asked their citizens for calm.

Riots in Brussels after the victory of Morocco over Belgium. These unmannered folks are ruining the experience for us and this behaviour is not acceptable whatsoever. pic.twitter.com/rLfnbpZVGE
— Musa al-Maghribi 🇲🇦 ⵣ | مُوسَى المَغْرِبِي (@Musa_Maliki_) November 27, 2022

The authorities admit that it’s difficult to be entirely prepared since it’s not certain how many Moroccans are living in each autonomous community. The latest official data places the figure at 776,000 citizens with the Region of Murcia, Andalucia, the Valencian Community and Catalonia expecting the worst of the trouble.

The riots which took place in Brussels after Morocco knocked Belgium out of the World Cup saw cars flipped over and burned in the streets and resulted in 18 arrests. Just days before, a violent clash erupted between England and Wales fans in Tenerife.

Tensions are already running high between the Spanish and Moroccan authorities as the European Parliament continues its investigation into the Melilla border storming earlier this year, and the General Consulate of Morocco in Almería has appealed to “all the associations of the Moroccan community” to avoid attitudes that not only involve “the destruction of private and public property, but also attempt to against the safety of people”.

The Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities (FEERI) has also spoken, asking the Muslim community to “show the manners of Islam, among which are respect and tolerance”.

Also of interest: Will England play Spain on the road to the World Cup Final?

Image: @Musa_Maliki_ on Twitter

Linea Directa Bottom Article A-L CAR HOME LIFE INSURANCE

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)