Following Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Champions League win over Arsenal, clashes between fans and police in France resulted in over 400 arrests.
To manage the unrest, thousands of officers were deployed, affecting bus, train, and rail services in Paris. Fireworks and flares lit up the night, and some police officers sustained injuries. Authorities used tear gas to disperse crowds in the city center.
While PSG celebrated their consecutive victory, it also marked a second year of football-related violence, recalling last year’s tragic celebrations after their 2025 win.
Videos from Paris captured flares, burning electric bikes, and revellers damaging shopfronts. The Champs-Élysées filled with fans shortly after the penalty shootout win, while earlier clashes erupted at Parc des Princes, where supporters gathered to watch the final on giant screens.
Police reported damage to six vehicles, two businesses, and a bus shelter during the chaos. France’s interior ministry confirmed 416 arrests early Sunday, including 280 in Paris. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the unrest as “absolutely unacceptable,” noting that seven officers were injured.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen commented on X, stating, “Only in France does a football club’s victory spark riots,” highlighting the fear many felt about venturing out after the win.
Despite the unrest, players are set to participate in a victory parade on Sunday, which will tour the Champ-de-Mars near the Eiffel Tower, followed by a reception with French President Emmanuel Macron. Last year’s celebrations were overshadowed by violence that tragically claimed two lives, including that of a 17-year-old boy.
