Police arrested 416 people across France after Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory over Arsenal descended into violence, with clashes erupting on the Champs-Élysées and around the club's stadium.
Thousands of officers deployed across Paris and other cities to contain the unrest, which disrupted transport services and left seven police officers injured. The trouble began after PSG won in a penalty shootout, when celebrations on the iconic avenue turned chaotic. Supporters ignited flares, set electric motorcycles on fire, and damaged shop windows and vehicles.
Police used tear gas to disperse crowds in central Paris as fans clashed with security personnel. Officials confirmed six vehicles, two businesses and a bus shelter sustained damage during the early hours of Sunday. Of the 416 arrested, 280 were taken into custody in Paris alone.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the violence as "absolutely unacceptable" and said authorities had deployed a "very robust" security arrangement to prevent scenes like those that followed PSG's previous European success. He confirmed seven officers were hurt during the disturbances but did not provide details of their injuries.
Far-right politician Marine Le Pen weighed in on social media, calling the riots inexcusable. She wrote that a football victory should not trigger such disorder.
Despite the chaos, PSG plans to celebrate with a victory parade in Paris on Sunday. The squad will gather around the Champ-de-Mars near the Eiffel Tower before attending a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. The Champions League win marks PSG's first European crown, a historic achievement that had fans jubilant before violence overtook the festivities.
