France has called on its football fans to be responsible as their team prepares to meet African champions Morocco in a World Cup quarterfinal on Thursday, following previous high-profile matches that sparked turmoil.
Morocco gained independence from France in 1956 and now maintains a mainly peaceful relationship with the former colonial power, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Moroccans and French nationals of Moroccan heritage.
This year’s Moroccan national squad includes several players born in France who play for French clubs.
Achraf Hakimi, the team captain, was born in Spain but now plays for Paris Saint Germain.
France defeated Morocco in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, and the celebrations were generally orderly.
However, security forces in Paris will be on high alert beginning at 10:00 p.m. (20:00 GMT) on Thursday.
“I appeal to everyone’s sense of responsibility. It has to remain a celebration,” sports minister Marina Ferrari told the France Info broadcaster.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has stated that “no misconduct would be tolerated.”
Following PSG’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal on May 30, French authorities arrested around 280 people in Paris for causing disturbance and vandalism.
