After the match between the Moroccan and Cameroonian national teams on Friday, Moroccan fans in France faced strict restrictions, and even fines, simply for celebrating with national symbols. By contrast, Moroccans in Belgium and Canada were largely able to celebrate freely, with security forces sometimes joining in the festivities.
In Paris, major arteries such as the Champs-Élysées were placed under heavy police surveillance following the match, which saw the Morocco national football team defeat Cameroon 2–0 and secure a place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, a milestone not reached in 22 years. The security deployment aimed to prevent any large gatherings celebrating the victory.
Videos circulating on social media showed police officers stopping members of the Moroccan community and issuing fines of up to €135 for carrying Moroccan flags or wearing clothing featuring national symbols. These measures sparked anger and confusion among those targeted.
Ahead of the match, the Paris Police Department had announced a ban on fan gatherings along the Champs-Élysées, around the Louvre Museum, and on Avenue Foch, from 3 p.m. on Friday, January 9, until 2 a.m. on Sunday, January 11.
In Belgium, however, celebrations unfolded more openly. In Brussels, members of the Moroccan community took to the streets, with videos on TikTok even showing police officers dancing and singing alongside fans in the Molenbeek neighborhood.
Local media reported that «the spirit of celebration prevailed, at least initially», noting that the images reflected a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Police intervention only came later in the night. Speaking to the press, François Janssens, spokesperson for the Brussels-West police, said: «After yesterday’s match, the atmosphere was very festive at first. As with previous games, a large crowd gathered in the Étangs Noirs area. Everything was initially calm, but the situation gradually deteriorated. The safety of other road users and families was put at risk, particularly due to fireworks».
In Canada, celebrations followed a similar pattern to Belgium. Videos showed members of the Moroccan diaspora waving flags and celebrating near police vehicles, with officers maintaining a low-key presence and simply monitoring the situation.