120 detained as ‘racist violence’ erupts after Franco-Moroccan game

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On Wednesday evening, more than 120 people were apprehended following a wave of allegedly racist violence in various French cities, including Paris, following France’s World Cup semi-final victory against Morocco , with government authorities strongly condemning this behavior.

Some 10,000 police officers were mobilized throughout France for fear of possible riots, including 5,000 for Paris and its region.

Despite the measures, Moroccan fans faced verbal and physical attacks from some far-right groups as raucous celebrations erupted across the country after France won 2-0.

At least 115 people were arrested in total in Paris and its surroundings, local media reported.

Among them were 40 far-right suspects trying to reach the Champs-Elysées, the busiest spot in the capital for football fans, according to reports.

Violence has also been reported in major cities such as Lyon, Nice and Montpellier.

At least six people, including two members of a far-right group, have been arrested after a fight between rival supporters in Lyon, according to reports.

French lawmaker Thomas Portes condemned “planned attacks and” racist violence against Moroccan fans.

“We are close to a tragedy. We must react, he wrote on Twitter.

Antoine Laurent, another parliamentarian, said that “fascists (…) shouting racist remarks attacked Moroccan fans in Nice.

“Racism is a crime,” he said in a tweet, calling for the perpetrators to be punished in accordance with French law.

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