At least 131 people have been arrested in Paris after celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday night descended into widespread violence and disorder.
Clashes erupted near PSG’s home ground, the Parc des Princes, where thousands of fans had gathered in a dedicated viewing zone to watch the match. What began as a festive atmosphere quickly spiralled into chaos, with fires breaking out across the city, vehicles torched, and projectiles hurled at police.
French media reports suggest that the unrest was largely instigated by groups of young individuals, identified as being of North African descent from the capital’s disadvantaged northeastern suburbs, rather than organised fan groups.
Videos circulating on social media show the celebratory crowds outside the Parc des Princes turning confrontational, with police attempting to disperse groups causing disturbances. Authorities had cordoned off roads around the stadium for the safe conduct of the public viewing, but the situation rapidly spiraled out of control.
The violence extended to the Place de la République, a traditional site for anti-government protests, where extensive fires were reported, prompting immediate intervention from fire services. French police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds, while in other parts of Paris, particularly on the périphérique (ring road), citizens were seen fleeing in panic, causing significant traffic disruption.
One video captured on X (formerly Twitter) showed a car moving in reverse, injuring a PSG fan. A police spokesperson confirmed that at least one car was set ablaze near the stadium, and dozens of arrests had been made even before the final whistle.
Immediately after the match, PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé appealed for restraint, telling Canal+: “Let’s celebrate this, but let’s not destroy everything in Paris.”
Earlier in the day, tensions had also flared in the Munich metro, with skirmishes reported between PSG and Inter fans.
Organised PSG fan groups have been under close surveillance by French police and intelligence services for years, with a strict legal framework in place even for celebratory gatherings. Following the tragic Bataclan attacks, French anti-terrorism legislation imposes stringent security measures, which is why over 5,000 special security forces personnel had been deployed across the city in anticipation of the final.
