A crowd of supporters flocked on Saturday evening on Parisian avenue to celebrate the feat of Morocco in an euphoric atmosphere.
by Robin Richardot
The Champs Elysées are red. Thousands of supporters from Morocco met this evening after the victory of the Atlas Lions against Portugal and their historic qualification in the semi -final of the World Cup in Qatar. On the Parisian avenue, the atmosphere was at the colorful and deafening party in the middle of the horns, the growing engines, fireworks and smoke bombs.
Escorted by a cord of CRS all along the fields, the supporters flocked at the end of the match, already heated in the metro stations where the announcements of the RATP were inaudible, covered by the Moroccan anthem chanted by the crowds.
All people on site shared this general euphoria. All generations were represented and many came with the family. “It is the most beautiful joy that I have known since the birth of my children,” exclaims Souad, 53, who came with her daughter Samia, hoping that there are no overflows. An important security system had been deployed as a preventive basis, to manage the reactions to the quarter-final meetings of the day, Morocco-Portugal and France-Engleterre. The Paris police prefecture had announced the mobilization of “1,220 police and gendarmes” in civilian clothes and in dress from 4 p.m. in Paris.
“It’s indescribable, it’s just beautiful !, Flocketing Nadir, 22, hakimi jersey on our shoulders. No one would have bet on us at the start and yet we are there.”
On the Champs-Elysées, the atmosphere was at the party on Saturday December 10, in the middle of Klaxons, roaring engines, fireworks and smoke bombs. (Photo Julien de Rosa / AFP) Julien de Rosa / AFP
Beyond the victory of Morocco, it is a historical qualification that we celebrate with, for the first time The history of competition, an African country in the semi-finals. “It is the victory of a country but also of a continent, all of Africa behind us,” smiles Raja 33 years old, also coming with family with her children of ten years. It is not Abel, 18, flag of Algeria hanging on the neck that will contradict her. “I am extremely proud,” he confides. “With this World Cup, it is finally the Arab world that shines.” Going up the fields, he crosses Mustapha, 35, proudly sporting his Flag of Senegal. “You did it for Africa!”, He shouts under the Hourras of Moroccan supporters.
Many are waiting for only one thing: a France-Maroc semi-final. “It would be a simply unforgettable match,” said Yuness, 42, Moroccan who came on a trip to Paris. “It will be very hard because France is my country of adoption and heart, resumes Raja. We will see for whom we will be. In any case, we will have won.”
