Officials in Spain have said they will investigate this footage showing baton-wielding police striking three women celebrating Morocco’s World Cup win over Portugal.
The footage was filmed in a square in Ceuta – a Spanish enclave in North Africa that borders Morocco and has a large Moroccan population.
The images, filmed from above on a mobile phone, appear to show officers from the Rapid Response Unit of the Ceuta Local Police striking three women in the torso and limbs with batons.
Local media reported that the officers involved reported the incident to their superiors themselves and that the alleged victims filed a complaint with the National Police.
The Assembly of Ceuta announced on 11th December that it would investigate the incident.
Most of the political parties holding seats in the Assembly have welcomed the probe, apart from the right-wing Vox party, which is Ceuta’s third largest.
Among other things, Vox proposes unconditional deportation of illegal immigrants and tightening of Spanish immigration laws.
Spain, despite its large Moroccan population, has so far avoided the violent incidents seen in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands following Morocco’s successes in the World Cup.
However, some Spanish cities have seen flares lit and street closures following the Atlas Lions’ victories.
After wins over Belgium, Canada, Spain, and Portugal, Morocco face France in the semi-finals on 14th December.