On Wednesday, France will face off against Morocco in the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar. The French are expecting Moroccan riots in their cities no matter who wins. They are putting preparations in place.
The below article from today's Le Figaro is translated by Fousesquawk.
France-Morocco: Whatever the outcome, eruptions are feared
by Christophe Cornevin
Posted 5 hours ago, updated 3 hours ago
Gerald Darmanin has decided to reinforce the police forces for the semi-final of the World Cup of football. 10,000 police officers will be mobilized, of which 50,000 will be in the Paris region.
"Whether Morocco loses or wins, outbreaks are expected,": In delivering this report, this police officer doesn't give in to pessimism. Like the police leadership, he is simply based on a lucid reading of the context of high tension in which the semi-final match of the (World) Cup will be played, where France will (play a major role). "Beyond Morocco, the entire Maghreb community will take advantage of this event to display the pride of the Arab world," says one analyst. The more the competition advances, the more the message will be spread of a victory of the African continent over a certain number of former colonial nations." After the defeats of Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, it is France now on the front line.
To try and maintain calm in the streets, the Interior Minister has decided to put a plan into place in format XXL. Thus, in the capital and its inner suburbs, 5,000 police officers will be deployed, including 2,200 in Paris with Motorized Violent Action Repression brigades (Brav-M) as spearheads to secure the Champs-Elysees. The avenue will remain open to traffic. The Interior Minister noted that, "a large number of peripheral access points will no doubt be closed off beginning at 6:30 pm," as will several Metro stations and the RER (Paris commuter train).
Risk of tension
In total, no less than 70 mobile units (Gendarmerie and CRS squads) have been called up as reinforcements throughout the nation. Thus, in total, there are more than 5,000 men who will complete a national network already made "harder" by public security patrols and anti-crime brigades. The authorities know they have no room for error. In planning ahead, the prefectures have been asked to organize "inspections" in the cellars, and on the rooftops of apartment buildings to seize mortars, fireworks, or dangerous objects.
The strategists of the (Interior Ministry) know what to expect and are taking precautions. The quarter-finals sent a first signal last Saturday: The victories of Morocco and France gave way to scenes of jubilation before the party got out of hand in the second part of the evening with violence committed against the police in the (Arc of Triumph) and the Champs-Elysees, as well as several cities in France like Mulhouse, Montpelier, Lille, and Roubaix. Targeted by projectiles and fireworks, some 30 police officers were injured in these regions, and more than 170 thugs were arrested nationwide. In Paris, where some 100 persons were arrested, "3/4 were French," Gerald Darmanin argued.
On Wednesday, according to our information, the risk of tension will be stronger that ultra-right groups may mobilize in reaction. Thus, in Strasbourg, activists within the Ex-Generation Identitaire movement have announced their intention to organize patrols to prevent the streets from being "invaded". A few hours before kick-off, the police and gendarmes are aware of the match that awaits them.
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