With a World Cup match between the Netherlands and Morocco ahead, Dutch authorities are expecting trouble.
The Round of 16 match will be played at Estadio BBVA—temporarily known as Estadio Monterrey under FIFA rules—in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico, meaning it will screen in the Netherlands in the early hours of Tuesday, June 30th.
The municipality and police are funding extra security measures in preparation for possible post-match disturbances. CCTV cameras are being installed, while the authorities are working on an unwieldy coalition of groups to preserve order, including youth workers, neighborhood volunteers, shopping street stewards, entrepreneurs, and local residents.
According to police
This match naturally has our attention, and we are certainly busy with the preparations.
The measures come against the backdrop of various Netherlands-born, Moroccan-heritage public figures coming out in support of the Atlas Lions against the Oranje at the FIFA World Cup. For instance, Utrecht-born Dutch international-turned-analyst Ibrahim Afellay explained his loyalties in this specific match:
For this specific match, my heart lies with Morocco.
My roots are in Morocco. My parents come from there and my family lives there. How much more explanation do I need to give about that?
