Fans jubilant after Morocco beat Netherlands, handful of arrests

Police made 14 arrests in Rotterdam and The Hague as fans of the Moroccan football team came out into the streets in the early hours of Tuesday to celebrate knocking the Netherlands out of the World Cup.

The celebrations were mostly good-natured as fans let off flares and fireworks and sounded their car horns, but riot police used a water cannon to disperse a small number who ignored orders to disperse after an hour and a half.

In The Hague, 10 people were arrested around Vaillantlaan, in the Schilderswijk district, where supporters danced on the roofs of cars and youths were chased away by police on motorbikes.

Four arrests were made for assault and breach of the peace in Rotterdam when police broke up a jubilant crowd that had gathered on the West-Kruiskade at around 7.30am.

A plant pot was reportedly thrown at officers, but the incident was not related to the arrests.

Some bystanders said the police response was heavy-handed, as video images showed the water cannon being fired at a handful of revellers who were standing in the street after the crowds were largely gone.

Police said the power jets were used after officers were attacked with fireworks and stones.

“Everyone is happy,” said Tara, a 38-year-old woman who spoke to NOS in the Schilderswijk. “Everyone came outside and let off fireworks, there was a great atmosphere. The police came along and they were on the warpath, sending people away or even surrounding them.”

Morocco beat the Dutch in a penalty shoot-out after the last 32 match in Monterrey ended 1-1. They next play Canada for a place in the quarter-finals.