Algeria football fans in UK spark ‘riot fears’ with fireworks

Jubilant Algerian football fans sparked rumours of trouble in London after a huge fireworks display lit up the skies of the UK capital on Wednesday evening amid fears of possible far-right rioting.

Supporters of Mouloudia Club d’Alger – or MC Alger – let off a barrage of fireworks and flares in central London on Wednesday night to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of their team with a similar dazzling show reported in Dublin.

It coincides with planned far-right unrest at 100 locations across the UK with thousands of police deployed to deal with any potential rioting.

As the red and green pyrotechnic display was unleashed on the Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars footbridge on the Thames, Londoners feared trouble had erupted with some fleeing for safety. It was soon revealed the lights above the London sky were from the football festivities.

“It was a birthday celebration of our beloved club,” one Algerian football fan told The Times. “Every football team has fans, and we were here to support them. It was timed when the bell struck.”

North African football fans are renowned for their vibrant displays of colour, passion, and noise, including pyrotechnics and tifos, which are important elements of the club culture.

Right-leaning media slammed the “illegal” fireworks as irresponsible, given the tensions on that night, while Transport for London was not made aware of the celebration.

A Shakespeare play held nearby was forced to cancel a performance when a firework piled into the theatre with actors huddled in a basement for 2o minutes until the situation was made clear.

UK police had warned of scores of far-right rallies planned outside immigration offices on Wednesday, which follows a week of violence in cities and towns by extremist mobs.

Hotels housing asylum seekers were among those targeted by the extremists who attempted to set the buildings on fire, while people of colour were attacked.

On Wednesday evening, hundreds of protesters held counter-demonstrations at locations named on a far-right hate list in a bid to deter extremist rallies.