Police clashed with PSG supporters on the streets of Paris. / IMAGO/ABACAPRESS
Two people have died and hundreds have been arrested after violence erupted on the streets of Paris and around France in the aftermath of the Champions League final.
Thousands of supporters took to the streets to celebrate Paris Saint-Germain’s 5–0 win over Inter, marking the club’s first-ever success in European football’s premier club competition.
The club’s Parc des Princes stadium was full to capacity as it broadcast the final in Munich on giant screens and there were scenes of jubilation as PSG cruised to victory thanks to goals from Achraf Hakimi, Désiré Doue (two), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute teenager Senny Mayulu.
But the unbridled joy soon turned to despair as images of police clashing with fans began to circulate on social media.
The French interior ministry have since confirmed that a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Dax, a south-west town, while a 23-year-old man was killed in central Paris after being knocked off a scooter by a vehicle—it’s not yet known whether that incident was directly linked to the chaos involving supporters.
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez confirmed in a news conference on Sunday that 559 arrests had been made around the country, including 491 in Paris. 320 were taken into police custody, 254 of which were in the capital.
The streets of Paris descended into chaos. / IMAGO/ABACAPRESS
PSG’s supporters lit flares. / IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
A further 192 people have been injured, with a police officer currently in a coma in hospital—reports in France suggest his injuries were caused by a firecracker that was thrown from a crowd in Coutances in the Manche department of northwestern France.
“True PSG fans are getting excited about their team’s magnificent performance,” Bruno Retailleau, France’s interior minister, said of the violence on Saturday. “Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement.
“I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses. I offer my support to the police prefect and all the police officers who are ensuring everyone’s safety this evening.
“It is unbearable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.”
It’s understood that close to 5,500 police officers were deployed on the night, with law enforcement officials authorised to use teargas and pepper spray on the Champs Élysées to control the large crowds. A water cannon was also used to guard the Place de l’Etoile, near the iconic Arc de Triomphe landmark.
Published 4 Hours Ago|Modified 7:32 AM EDT
