Two people died and police arrested more than 500 during celebrations across France following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory, according to the French interior ministry.
PSG secured their first-ever Champions League title with a dominant 5–0 win over Inter Milan. As expected, celebrations broke out across Paris and other cities. However, the night quickly turned chaotic in several areas.
Authorities reported 192 injuries and 692 fires, including 264 involving vehicles. Police arrested 559 people, 491 of them in Paris. Out of those, 320 remained in custody, with 254 held in the capital alone.
In addition, 22 police officers and seven firefighters sustained injuries while responding to incidents.
Champions League celebrations turn violent in Paris
In Paris, fireworks lit up the sky, car horns echoed through the streets, and the Eiffel Tower shone in PSG’s colours. Thousands gathered at the Parc des Princes, where the club screened the match on a large display.
However, trouble began during the game itself. Supporters let off flares, and riot police responded with tear gas. On the Champs-Élysées, officers used a water cannon to hold back crowds trying to reach the Arc de Triomphe.
After the match, PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé urged fans to remain respectful. “Let’s celebrate but without damaging the city,” he told Canal Plus.
Meanwhile, young star Désiré Doué, who scored twice and assisted another goal, expressed his gratitude. “I don’t have words. But what I can say is, ‘Thank you Paris,’ we did it,” he said.
Tight security and previous incidents
At Place de la Bastille, fans climbed the column’s base, set off flares, and danced late into the night. Although the crowd was large, the atmosphere remained festive into the early hours, and police presence in that area was minimal by 1am.
To prepare for possible unrest, officials had deployed 5,400 officers throughout Paris and its suburbs. Supporters had started gathering on the Champs-Élysées two hours before the 9pm kick-off. By 11:30pm, police expected a major influx of people.
This is not the first time PSG celebrations have turned violent. Just three weeks earlier, fans caused damage after PSG’s semi-final win over Arsenal. A vehicle rammed into a crowd, caught fire later, and shop windows were smashed. More than 40 arrests followed.
Similarly, major incidents occurred after PSG lost the 2020 Champions League final, won the domestic league in 2013, and during international matches involving Algeria and Morocco.
