Morocco fans grab shisha pipes and chairs to brawl on London's streets as 'knocked out' police officer is dragged to safety by colleagues in World Cup mayhem

By AIDAN RADNEDGE, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:42, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 12:55, 10 July 2026 Morocco football fans grabbed shisha pipes and chairs in London brawls after the country's World Cup exit - with a police officer knocked out and having to be dragged to safety by colleagues. Officers and supporters clashed along Edgware Road in central London in chaos following France's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco in Boston in the US. Footage on social media appears to show flares being set off and missiles being thrown at officers in the middle of the London street - while shisha pipes and chairs from a restaurant were picked up and hurled. The Metropolitan Police said four people were arrested for violent disorder and one officer was taken to hospital with a head injury after being hit by a glass bottle. Riot police were later deployed, with one clip filmed outside Lebanese restaurant Al Balad near Marble Arch station showing dozens of officers with shields and helmets marching up Edgware Road.  A man filming the incident was heard saying: 'Police are going in.'  In a statement, the Met said: 'Officers were initially called after a group of people congregated in the road and blocked traffic. 'The incident then escalated with the group throwing bottles and setting off fireworks. Trouble erupted in Edgware Road in central London after Morocco's World Cup loss to France The Metropolitan Police has said one officer was taken to hospital following clashes 'As a result, further officers were deployed to the area. 'One officer was taken to hospital for head injuries - it is believed he had been hit by a glass bottle. 'No other injuries were reported. Officers remained in the area and made four arrests for violent disorder, with the group dispersing and the road reopened from around 1am. 'We will not tolerate such disorder on our streets, or attacks on our officers. 'A police presence will remain in the area overnight and we will be reviewing CCTV and video footage circulating on social media to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.' Paul Swaddle, leader of Westminster City Council, said: 'I am deeply disturbed by scenes of crowd disorder on the Edgware Road circulating on social media after last night's World Cup results. 'It is completely unacceptable that Metropolitan Police officers appear to have been turned on by some groups and one officer injured as they were reportedly pelted with bottles. 'I condemn this behaviour and appeal to all fans to be respectful throughout the tournament.' Footage on social media appears to show flares being set off and missiles being thrown at officers in the middle of the London street Shisha pipes and chairs from a restaurant were picked up and hurled Further up the road, near Edgware Road's intersection with Upper Berkeley Street, a massive crowd had gathered in front of a line of riot police.  They were heard chanting the word 'w*****' over and over again at police, who quickly charged them in an effort to get the crowd to disperse.  In another clip, taken at the same location, smoke was seen coming from what appeared to be flares. A police van was seen parked in the intersection, as car drivers honked their horns in rage.  The trouble comes after, also in Edgware Road, fans celebrating Egypt's World Cup victory over Australia last Friday clashed with police, climbed on to a double decker bus and brought traffic to a standstill.  Footage captured police officers wrestling with shirtless fans as crowds spilled across the road, bringing traffic to a complete standstill, as the chant 'Free Palestine' echoed down the street. In one confrontation, two officers grappled with a man as screaming supporters surrounded the struggle before other revellers dragged him away.  As music blared out in the background, fans weaved between marooned vehicles, which included a line of buses, while some chose to clamber on top of them.  The Metropolitan Police said four people were arrested for violent disorder and one officer was taken to hospital with a head injury after being hit by a glass bottle Further along the road, topless fans who had scaled the roof of a double decker bus waved Egyptian flags while shouting down to the cheering and whistling crowd below.  A 41-year-old man was rushed to hospital after a hit-and-run on the street, after the car battled its way through the crowd. Meanwhile, the UK Football Policing Unit said 223 incidents related to the England-Mexico match in the early hours of Monday morning had been recorded in England and Wales. The UKFPU said there had been six hate crime incidents, 32 incidents of domestic abuse and made 42 arrests linked to England's dramatic victory at the Azteca stadium, for which pubs were allowed to keep serving until 5am.