The French national team’s 2-0 quarter-final victory against Morocco in the World Cup sparked widespread jubilation, yet the overnight festivities proceeded without significant disturbances. Initial assessments indicate a predominantly celebratory mood throughout Paris and its surrounding suburbs, despite a handful of isolated incidents.
Ten individuals apprehended
Amidst the joyous atmosphere, some supporters in the capital ignited flares, while a few instances of firework mortar discharges were noted in the immediate suburbs. As of Friday morning, a preliminary police report confirmed a total of ten arrests linked to the France-Morocco match celebrations across Paris and its nearby areas. Specifically, three individuals were detained in Paris for phone theft, another four in Paris for armed violence and forming groups with intent to commit violence, and three more in Seine-Saint-Denis for firing mortars. It remains unclear whether all these arrests have resulted in formal police custody.
Minor injury reported after altercation in 7th arrondissement
In Paris, a power outage led to the cancellation of the match screening at the Grand Rex cinema. Fans subsequently dispersed to surrounding bars to watch the game. Following the final whistle, crowds briefly spilled onto roadways, causing temporary traffic disruptions. However, police intervention promptly guided them back to the sidewalks, resolving the situation without further incident.
An altercation between supporters occurred around 12:30 AM on Quai Jacques Chirac in the 7th arrondissement. This incident resulted in one individual sustaining a minor knife wound to the hip, who was subsequently transported to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities had previously categorized this quarter-final clash between France and Morocco as a “particular risk” event. An intelligence brief had highlighted the heightened potential for incidents due to the match’s eliminatory nature and the high stakes of a semi-final qualification, even with its late broadcast time of 10 PM. The assessment anticipated public gatherings and the use of pyrotechnic devices, irrespective of the game’s outcome.
