Mass Arrests and Disruption in Paris
On Saturday and Sunday, French authorities arrested over 400 individuals following disturbances after Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Champions League win against Arsenal. The celebrations led to chaos that affected bus, train, and rail services throughout Paris. Thousands of police officers were deployed to manage the disorder.
Newsweek reached out to PSG and the Paris police prefecture for comments about the events.
PSG’s Historic Victory
PSG triumphed in the Champions League final held in Budapest, overcoming Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The game ended 1-1 after extra time. This victory marks PSG as the second team to retain the trophy in the modern era, following Real Madrid.
PSG celebrated the win on social media, calling for fans to show pride and responsibility, ensuring the celebration reflects the club’s successful season.
Unrest Follows Celebrations
Despite the club’s appeal, the celebrations erupted into disorder, particularly around the Champs-Élysées. The police responded to fireworks and flares by using tear gas to disperse crowds. Several officers sustained injuries during the chaos, which saw property damage including smashed shop windows.
Footage highlighted the extent of the disorder, featuring fires in the streets and damage to commercial properties. A video by journalist Luc Affrette showing a street fire has garnered over 1.4 million views.
Confrontations at the Parc des Princes
Earlier, tensions were evident at PSG’s stadium, with fans watching the final clashing with police. Reports indicated six vehicles, two businesses, and a bus shelter suffered damage. Authorities reported 416 arrests nationwide by early Sunday, including 280 in Paris.
Calls for Better Crowd Control
Similar chaos marked PSG’s victory celebrations last year, leading to fatalities. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that authorities had a strong security system but condemned the latest incidents as absolutely unacceptable.
Marine Le Pen, a far-right politician, expressed her dissatisfaction regarding the repeated scenes of chaos and sought support for the security personnel involved.
These events are likely to trigger debates on crowd control measures at high-profile football matches in Paris and beyond.
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