Paris Saint-Germain secured the title after a dramatic final against Arsenal in Budapest, where the French side triumphed in a penalty shootout following a tightly contested match that ended level after normal time. The victory sealed PSG’s second Champions League crown and sparked celebrations across France.
According to the French interior ministry, a total of 416 people were detained nationwide on Saturday night, including 283 in Paris, as tens of thousands of supporters flooded streets to mark PSG’s dramatic win.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the unrest as “absolutely unacceptable,” confirming that seven police officers were wounded during clashes that broke out in several parts of the capital. Six vehicles and two businesses were also damaged.
A heavy police presence of around 22,000 officers was deployed across France, including 8,000 in Paris, amid fears of a repeat of last year’s disorder. Authorities moved to shut down tram lines, close metro stations and restrict bus services in central Paris in an effort to contain crowds.
Despite the measures, around 20,000 fans gathered on the Champs-Élysées, where flares were lit and traffic was disrupted. Police said two dozen flares and around 100 fireworks were seized, while a bus shelter near the avenue was destroyed.
Smaller groups of supporters also caused disturbances near PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, where tens of thousands had gathered to watch the match on big screens. Between 4,000 and 5,000 people outside the stadium were involved in confrontations with police, with projectiles thrown at officers. Tear gas was used after fireworks were launched in their direction.
Police said about 150 individuals attempted to force entry through one of the stadium gates, while others tried to build barricades using rental bicycles, which were later dismantled.
In central Paris, a group briefly blocked the ring road, the périphérique, while scattered incidents of vandalism were reported, including damage to a bakery and restaurant. Authorities also said some individuals attempted to storm a police station in the 8th arrondissement before being dispersed.
The unrest came as celebrations across the city coincided with other major events, including concerts and the French Open tennis tournament, adding pressure on security services.
Far-right political figures criticised the violence, with Marine Le Pen claiming on social media that “only in France does a football club’s victory spark riots.”
Despite the clashes, city officials confirmed that PSG players are expected to hold a victory parade on Sunday at the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, with an estimated 100,000 people expected to attend before a reception at the Élysée Palace hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.
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