Paris Police Detain Over 280 Individuals After PSG Champions League Victory Celebrations Turn Violent
More than 280 individuals were detained by the police in Paris following violent clashes that erupted after Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League final victory. A significant police presence was deployed across France, with 22,000 officers on duty, including 8,000 in Paris. The authorities took measures such as halting tram lines, shutting metro stations, and stopping bus traffic to prevent disturbances.
The French interior ministry reported that a total of 416 people were detained nationwide, with 283 of them apprehended in Paris. Interior minister Laurent Nunez condemned the unrest as "absolutely unacceptable" and mentioned that seven officers were injured during the clashes. Several vehicles and businesses were damaged, and a group of supporters even stormed the Paris ring road, causing traffic disruptions.
Following PSG's dramatic victory in Budapest, around 20,000 people gathered on Paris's Champs-Elysees avenue to celebrate. Shops had boarded up their windows in anticipation of potential disturbances, recalling the incidents from the previous year when shops were ransacked. The police seized flares and fireworks, and a bus shelter was destroyed near the Champs-Elysees.
The evening of the match was eventful in Paris, with various performances and events taking place simultaneously. Despite tens of thousands of fans watching the match inside PSG's Parc des Princes stadium, a group of 4,000 to 5,000 individuals gathered outside, leading to confrontations with the police. Clashes broke out near the stadium, with officers using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The scenes of violence drew criticism from the French far right, with Marine Le Pen highlighting that such riots only occur in France after a football victory. The authorities emphasized the need for a secure and peaceful celebration, with plans for a parade on the Champs-de-Mars and a reception by President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace for the players.