A police officer was hospitalised with a head injury and four people were arrested during violent disorder on a London street following France‘s World Cup quarter-final victory over Morocco. The clashes in the UK capital occurred as tragedy struck in France, where a 17-year-old girl died after falling from a truck during celebrations.
The Metropolitan Police said the officer was struck by a glass bottle during confrontations on Edgware Road on Thursday night. The force reported that flares and missiles were thrown at officers after a group blocked traffic and began setting off fireworks.
London violence
Officers were initially called to Edgware Road after reports of a crowd obstructing vehicles. The situation escalated when the group began throwing bottles and lighting fireworks, prompting additional police deployment.
One officer suffered a head injury believed to have been caused by a glass bottle. He was taken to hospital for treatment. The Met confirmed that four individuals were arrested for violent disorder. The road reopened around 1am after the crowd dispersed.
In a statement, the force said: “We will not tolerate such disorder on our streets, or attacks on our officers.” Authorities indicated they would review CCTV footage and social media videos to identify further suspects.
Fatality in France
Across the Channel, a teenager died in the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries while celebrating the national team’s progress to the semi-finals. Emergency services said the 17-year-old girl fell from a truck and was subsequently run over by the vehicle.
She was pronounced dead at the scene near the city of Maubeuge. The driver of the truck has been detained by police, while another teenager who witnessed the incident was taken to hospital suffering from shock.
Tournament context
The incidents followed France’s 2-0 defeat of Morocco in a World Cup quarter-final held in Boston, United States. The victory sparked celebrations in French cities, where hundreds took to the streets of Paris watched by thousands of officers on security duties.
The result sends France into the semi-finals of the tournament, which is being staged across North America. The match marked another chapter in the growing football rivalry between France and Morocco.