French authorities have arrested 12 people after unrest broke out in several cities following Algeria’s elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Algerian team lost to Nigeria in the quarter finals on Saturday night at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech, a result that triggered spontaneous gatherings among fans in France.
What began as street celebrations quickly turned tense in a few locations, forcing police to intervene to restore calm. In Lyon, around 350 fans gathered near Gabriel Berry Square, where some threw objects at officers. One person was detained for suspected possession of stolen items.
In the Rubí area, small groups clashed with security forces, leading to the use of water cannons. Three cars were burned, and a 12-year-old was briefly held for setting a rubbish container on fire before being released.
Similar incidents were reported in Lille, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse, including vehicle fires and projectiles thrown at police. The situation has once again raised questions in France about how to manage football celebrations and prevent them from turning into violence.
