Dutch Police Admit Breaking Rules in Three Incidents After Morocco World Cup Matches

Dutch police admit they overstepped the mark three times during unrest that followed Morocco’s matches at the 2026 World Cup. Two interventions after the win against the Netherlands on June 30, and a third after the win against Canada on July 4, were found to have violated the rules governing the use of force. The police chief accepted the findings, which were disclosed in an official report submitted to The Hague city council on Friday.

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The events date back to celebrations in the Schilderswijk neighbourhood, where several hundred Moroccan supporters had gathered. After Morocco’s penalty-shootout win over the Netherlands, between 400 and 500 people took over Vaillantlaan at around 6 a.m. The celebrations turned into clashes, with stones, bottles and fireworks thrown at police.

Four days later, nearly 1,000 people were celebrating the win against Canada. Further incidents led authorities to deploy riot police, mounted officers and a water cannon.

The operations have since been reviewed by the Geweldsaanwending Commission, a body made up of experienced police officers and independent members tasked with assessing the use of force. According to the official report RIS326385 published by The Hague city government, three interventions did not meet the applicable legal and professional standards.

Three criminal complaints and three complaints against police

The police chief followed the commission’s advice. The three interventions in question were reviewed in internal debriefing sessions.

After the incidents on June 30, three criminal reports and three complaints against police officers were also filed. The public prosecutor’s office decided not to bring charges: in one case, the officers had followed their instructions; in the other two, the complainants’ statements were not sufficiently substantiated. The three administrative complaints were still under review when the report was published.

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The unrest following Morocco’s last three World Cup matches resulted in 59 arrests. Two police officers were injured, and several participants have already been sentenced to fines or community service.

The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen acknowledges in his report the impact of the events on residents of the neighbourhood. He also says he personally met with a family whose minor child had been arrested. Lessons from the review will have to be taken into account when preparing for future major sporting events, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.