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THREE people have been killed by police in Morocco after protests against investment in the 2030 FIFA World Cup – set to be jointly-hosted with Spain and Portugal – turned violent.
On Tuesday night, thousands of antigovernment protesters marched through the streets. Hundreds were arrested. Nearly 300 civilians and police officers were also injured.
The Gen Z 212 anonymous youth collective is behind the demonstrations. They have used social media platforms to spread the message and stir up the anger of tens or thousands of young Moroccans.
Protesters are upset that money is being diverted to investment projects for the World Cup in five years’ time rather than underfunded infrastructure like hospitals and schools.
Demonstrators chanted ‘Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?Eight women died in Agadir’s public health facilities recently, and their deaths have become a symbol of the declining infrastructure in the country.
READ MORE: ‘It’s not worth it’: Spain’s Malaga pulls out as host city of 2030 FIFA World Cup
The violence has spread across the country – but the city of Lqliaa has been thrown into the spotlight after three protesters were shot dead by police.
Authorities claim that officers fired after a group of allegedly armed knife-wielding individuals stormed into a police station late on Wednesday and set part of it ablaze in an effort to steal police weapons.
An investigation by the judiciary has begun.
But the deaths are unlikely to deter the protesters, with Gen Z 212 urging its supporters to take part in ‘peaceful protests[…] As part of a civilised, reasonable expression of our requests’ for the sixth consecutive night.
In a message urging its supporters to restrain from violence, the youth collective said it had ‘no conflict with the security forces, only with the government’.
A police station in Marrakesh was set ablaze, and groups of people hurled rocks at security forces on the Strait of Gibraltar in Tangier.
Ceuta, and Melilla are two Spanish enclaves located on the northern coast of Morocco.
READ MORE: Spain is working with Portugal and Morocco as the host of 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Morocco’s unemployment rate for youth is almost 36%. Many Moroccans are furious that the World Cup preparations have taken billions of dollars away from the youth.
Morocco’s capacity to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal has been questioned by the violent unrest.
Earlier this year, Malaga retracted its bid to host the tournament, citing issues with viability regarding the renovation of Malaga CF’s La Rosaleda Stadium.
Malaga was one of nine cities put forward by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to host the tournament, alongside A Coruña, Barcelona, Bilbao, Las Palmas, Madrid, San Sebastian, Sevilla and Zaragoza.
In order to commemorate the centennial of the 1930 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has planned that one match will be held each in Uruguay and Paraguay.
Together, Morocco, Spain and Portugal will host the remaining 101 matches of the tournament – although exact allocations remain subject to confirmation.
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