A police officer was injured, and four individuals were arrested after disturbances erupted in London’s Edgware Road following Morocco’s elimination from the World Cup by France.
The Metropolitan Police reported that the injured officer was hospitalized with head injuries, believed to be caused by a glass bottle.
The chaos began when a large crowd blocked traffic and set off fireworks after France triumphed in the quarter-final match, winning 2-0 with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.
Videos circulating on social media depicted unrest in the area, with police in riot gear forming a line to restore order.
Additional footage captured a police officer lying on the ground while paramedics attended to him, blocked by two riot vans.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that officers responded to reports of disturbances in the north-west London street, which escalated quickly.
“One officer has sustained injuries, and four people have been taken into custody following the disturbances on Edgware Road,” the spokesperson confirmed. “Officers were initially dispatched after a group had gathered and obstructed traffic. The situation escalated with the group throwing bottles and igniting fireworks, prompting the deployment of additional officers to the scene.”
“One officer was hospitalized with head injuries, believed to have been struck by a glass bottle. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.” The spokesperson added that officers remained in the area and made four arrests related to violent disorder, with the crowd dispersing and the road reopened around 1 a.m.
“We will not condone such disorder on our streets or attacks on our officers. A police presence will continue in the area overnight, and we will review CCTV and social media footage to ensure all responsible individuals are held accountable,” the spokesperson emphasized.
Edgware Road, located between the Paddington and Marylebone neighborhoods of central London, is recognized for its Middle Eastern restaurants and vibrant Arab community, frequently attracting Moroccan fans after matches.
