Far-Right Belgian Party Stirs Controversy over Morocco Fan Clashes

"We have a Moroccan problem," tweeted president Tom Van Grieken, who condemned the fact that Moroccans had torn down a Belgian flag in Borgerhout, a suburb of Antwerp. This act would reflect the hatred of Moroccans living in Belgium for their host country. Don’t hesitate to leave, Tom Van Grieken told them. The Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie, another party rooted in nationalism, asked questions about immigration and integration, before denouncing the laxity of Brussels politicians.

Less critical than Tom Van Grieken, the mayor of Brussels, the socialist Philippe Close, reiterated his "firmest condemnation of these thugs who want to attack the capital." "They will always find the Brussels police facing them to prevent them from causing harm," he assured. "Morocco’s victory deserved better," tweeted the president of the Mouvement réformateur (liberal), before condemning "scandalous acts that must be punished with the utmost firmness." Georges-Louis Bouchez says "stop impunity, zero tolerance for rioters."

There is "no excuse for the violent behavior of these ’supporters’," tweets Belgo-Moroccan Rajae Maouane, co-chair of Ecolo. "The real supporters celebrate victories with joy and respect, not with violence and destruction," she added, firmly condemning "these unacceptable behaviors."