Chaos erupted in Paris on Saturday night as hundreds of football fans were arrested following PSG's Champions League final victory against Arsenal. Cars and bikes were set ablaze, flares were ignited, and violent clashes broke out across the city.
Violence Erupts Early
Rioting began as early as the first half of the match, which Arsenal lost on penalties after a tense game. The worst trouble occurred in the Chatelet area, between Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre museum. When Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead in the sixth minute, French fans in Paris reacted with fury. 'The trouble started as soon as Arsenal went one-nil up,' said an onlooker. 'Chairs and bottles were thrown at the police, who then moved in to make arrests.'
Some PSG fans climbed scaffolding on a building near Rue de Rivoli, a major shopping street, leading to further confrontations as police attempted to remove them. Throughout the first half, skirmishes continued, and some cafes turned off their televisions to avoid trouble.
PSG Triumphs, Fans Riot
Despite the early setback, PSG equalised in the second half and dominated possession, eventually winning on penalties. Arsenal's Eze and Gabriel missed spot-kicks, with Gabriel blasting his effort high. As the final whistle blew, fans flooded the streets, setting fires in various parts of Paris. PSG supporters were seen being arrested even before the match ended.
French authorities announced 780 arrests across the country. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that 57 security forces were injured and 219 participants were injured, eight seriously. Weapons and fireworks were confiscated by police. Hundreds of tourists visiting landmarks like Notre Dame and the Louvre were caught up in the violence.
Police Presence and Unrest
Approximately 5,000 police and gendarmes were deployed in Paris to monitor crowds watching the final, which was broadcast from Budapest. Unrest also occurred near PSG's home stadium, the Parc des Princes, where police fired tear gas as hundreds of reportedly ticketless fans tried to enter. Social media videos showed bottles being thrown at police during an arrest.
Shops across downtown Paris boarded up storefronts ahead of the match, fearing riots and looting. Football violence has become an increasing problem in France. Last year, 43 people were arrested when PSG beat Arsenal to reach the final, and six vehicles and two storefronts were damaged.
Rioting Across France
Rioting broke out in Paris and other parts of France as hooded youths fought running battles with riot police. The worst incident occurred near the Champs Élysées when a car ploughed into a group of fans. While many PSG fans travelled to Hungary for the final, tens of thousands remained on the streets of the French capital.
PSG have now won the Champions League for the second consecutive year, while Arsenal were seeking their first European crown. Gooners had enjoyed themselves in Budapest for days before the final, with a pre-match performance by The Killers, but it all ended in tears.
