Hundreds of arrests were made in Paris as fans of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) took to the streets to celebrate the club's landmark victory in the Champions League final. The match saw PSG secure a momentous 5-0 win against Inter Milan, marking their first title in this prestigious European tournament. Although the initial excitement brought out many supporters to celebrate in unity, the atmosphere soon turned chaotic.
Clashes erupted near the famed Champs-Elysees avenue and the Parc des Princes stadium, where approximately 50,000 fans had gathered to watch the game unfold on big screens. In total, about 5,400 police were deployed to manage the anticipated celebrations. However, nearly 300 people were arrested for various offenses including the possession of fireworks and participating in riots. Authorities reported that some individuals attempted to instigate trouble, throwing fireworks and other projectiles at the police.
Visuals shared on social media showed the celebration spiraling into unrest, with attempts by certain groups to break into luxury stores such as Chanel and Foot Locker. Riot police responded to the mayhem with a water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Fires were lit in protest, and several cars were vandalized near key celebratory locations.
The situation escalated further when news broke that a car had crashed into PSG fans in Grenoble, causing serious injuries to four family members, though the driver surrendered to police and was not thought to have acted with malicious intent.
Despite the chaos, much of the fan base celebrated peacefully, gathering to sing, dance, and revel in their team's historic achievement. The Eiffel Tower was adorned in the club's blue and red colors, signaling the pride felt by many supporters. French President Emmanuel Macron, a known Olympique de Marseille fan, extended his congratulations via social media, declaring it a "glorious day for PSG."
On Sunday, PSG is set to hold a victory parade along the Champs-Elysees, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of fans wanting to celebrate alongside their team.
