Riots break out in Paris within minutes of Champions League final kicking off as thousands of French police officers brace for night of chaos
Moments after Arsenal took the lead against PSG in the Champions League, riots broke out in the French capital.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz’s goal in just five minutes created chaos in the streets of Paris.
Arsenal will be hoping to take home their second trophy of the season after winning the Premier League last week, while PSG will also be hoping to win the coveted trophy for the second year in a row.
Scenes of violence turned into enthusiasm in the second half in Paris, when star striker Ousmane Dembele equalized with a penalty in the 65th minute.
French police were using tear gas and batons In the sweltering heat of a Saturday afternoon, crowds gathered to watch the match on TV screens outside bars and cafes in Paris.
Some fans were also arrested by police in riot gear.
‘The trouble started when Arsenal went one-nil up,’ said one spectator. ‘Chairs and bottles were thrown at the police, who took action to make an arrest.’
Some Paris St Germain fans managed to climb the scaffolding of a building near Rue de Rivoli, one of the French capital’s main shopping streets.
This caused further problems as officers attempted to take them down.
Riots broke out in the French capital moments after Arsenal took the lead against PSG in the Champions League
In dramatic scenes in the French capital, PSG fans were arrested by police in full gear
A PSG fan set off a flare in front of PSG’s home ground, Parc des Princes.
Riot police captured a PSG fan in Paris
A large crowd of PSG fans walking on the street in Paris
Riot police with shields near the Parc des Princes in Paris
Delighted Arsenal fans react to Troussard’s first goal outside the Emirates
Meanwhile, outside the Emirates, hundreds of Arsenal fans reacted with joy to Havertz’s goal by firing off red flares.
In Paris, clashes broke out in the first half of the match because some cafes turned off their televisions.
Hundreds of tourists visiting nearby monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum also found themselves caught up in the trouble.
Firefighters in Paris were seen trying to extinguish flares fired by PSG fans.
Les Parisien Around ten people were reportedly arrested outside PSG’s home ground, Parc des Princes, where the match was broadcast.
The French publication claimed the crowds increased after French police staged a new show of force after Ousmane Dembele scored his equalizer.
Meanwhile, further arrests were made near the Champs Élysées after a bus stop was destroyed during a clash between fans and police.
Supporters wearing balaclavas and armed with iron rods were also seen in Montmartre.
Riot police in Paris arrest a topless PSG fan
Firefighters in Paris were seen trying to extinguish flares fired by PSG fans
Complex scenes of tear gas being fired and French police detaining a man in Paris
PSG fans escape from tear gas fired by French police during the UEFA Champions League final
Approximately 5,000 police and gendarmes were among the crowds that gathered in the streets of Paris on Saturday to watch the Budapest final.
Violence in football is becoming an increasing problem across France.
A year ago, 43 people were arrested when Paris St Germain beat Arsenal to reach the European Champions League final.
Riots broke out in Paris and other parts of France, with hooded youths engaging in sustained clashes with riot police.
The worst incident occurred when a car crashed into a group of fans near the Champs Elysées.
While many Paris fans traveled to Hungary this year, tens of thousands more remained on the streets of the French capital.
As a precaution, France’s most famous street was cordoned off at the top this year and fans traveled to the center of Paris to watch the match on their phones.
