Rabat – Police in Brussels and the Netherlands have arrested dozens in riots following Morocco’s advancement to the round of 16 in the Qatar World Cup, while Moroccan fans themselves tried to prevent any violence from occurring.

French newspaper Ouest France reported that Brussels police have arrested eighteen people for “disturbing public order.”

Other reports said that at least six people were arrested in The Hague and Amsterdam for violence and throwing heavy fireworks, and that one officer had been injured.

VRT, the national broadcaster of Belgium, reported that Moroccan fans who had taken to the street to celebrate formed “human chains” to prevent the celebrations from getting out of hand.

“Just as the police were about to intervene you saw a large number of young people and adults form a human chain to ensure that everything passed peacefully and prevent trouble from reoccurring,” VRT reporter Jens Franssen said.

Fears of violence

Prior to the game, police in both countries dispatched officers and adapted strategies to counter any potential violence, European press reported.

“Today, we will be very vigilant and we will be visible from the beginning of the match with more police officers on the ground,” The Brussels Times quoted Ilse Van de Keere, spokesperson for the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone.

The regional crisis center, which is used to facilitate communication between the different local emergency services and the mayor of Brussels, was also activated prior to the game.

Following Morocco’s 2-0 win against Belgium on Sunday, police in Belgium arrested dozens after some Moroccan hooligans toppled cars and lit vehicles on fire in the Belgian capital.

The Moroccan team defeated Canada 2-1 on Thursday, securing their place in the competition’s top 16 for the first time since 1986. The victory led thousands of Moroccans across the country and abroad to take to the streets to celebrate.

Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui condemned the riots before, calling on fans to celebrate respectfully following the Canada game.

“It’s very difficult to see that. You need to respect the country where you are born and live,” he stressed at a press conference. “But I think it’s not Moroccan people. Moroccan people have more respect and in our culture you have to respect everybody.”