Hundreds of soccer fans flooded downtown Nashville Thursday night, bringing traffic to a standstill on Broadway. The large crowd gathered without a permit to celebrate ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Police estimate that 400 to 500 people, many waving Tunisian flags, filled the street and sidewalks. Fireworks were set off in the middle of the road, with some aimed at nearby buildings. Officers say the crowd blocked lanes of traffic and created a dangerous situation for pedestrians and drivers.
Three men were arrested in connection to the incident. Mohamed Jaafar Baccouche, 25, was charged with reckless endangerment and discharging fireworks. Moez Hammi, 45, and Hedi Ouesladi, 27, were charged with aggravated rioting and public intoxication. All three were booked into Metro Jail.
The event was not authorized by city officials or permitted through proper channels. Metro Police are continuing to monitor fan activity during the ongoing tournament.