Hundreds arrested as French club's victory sparks riots
Hundreds were arrested amid widespread unrest in France as PSG triumphs over Arsenal in UEFA Champions League final, successfully defending its title.
French authorities announced on Sunday that 780 people had been detained following chaotic scenes across the country after Paris Saint-Germain’s victory against Arsenal.
At least 57 police officers were reportedly injured during confrontations, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stating that eight were in serious condition.
A 24-year-old man died in an accident on Paris’s ring road. Witnesses reported he was on a motorcycle and collided with concrete blocks placed on the roadway during the disorder.
The unrest erupted as passionate fans celebrated PSG’s hard-fought win, with fireworks and flares lighting up the night. What began as joyful street gatherings quickly escalated in several major cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Lille, where vehicles were set ablaze and some properties damaged amid the fervour.
Fans had filled public spaces to watch the match on giant screens. Clashes occurred as police moved in to disperse crowds, make arrests, and seize fireworks.
The final itself, hosted in Budapest, Hungary, was a thrilling contest. After 120 minutes of intense, high-level football ending in a 1-1 draw, PSG prevailed 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Reports indicate tensions rose even before the final whistle, particularly when Arsenal briefly held the advantage in the shootout—highlighting the deep passion of French and wider European football supporters.
Nuñez claimed France is “a great country for maintaining public order,” adding that most people celebrate peacefully.
However, he blamed “other individuals, who are not even PSG supporters,” for causing disturbances. Critics often point to such statements as typical of authorities quick to label legitimate expressions of frustration as mere “troublemaking,” while deploying massive force.
To prevent repeats of past deadly incidents following PSG victories, Nuñez ordered around 22,000 officers in Paris alone, an enormous mobilization that underscores the challenges Western European states face in managing public sentiment and social tensions.
Later on Sunday, PSG players are scheduled to participate in a victory parade, including a tour of the Champ-de-Mars near the Eiffel Tower and a reception with President Emmanuel Macron.
In the meantime, football excitement is building across the globe, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup just 11 days away.
The tournament opens on June 11 in Mexico City with South Africa facing Mexico, while France begins its campaign against Senegal in New York City on June 16.
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