Paris police arrest more than 130 as PSG fans celebrate Champions League win over Arsenal | Paris
Paris police deployed thousands of officers, used tear gas and arrested more than 130 people to control crowds in some of the city’s hotspots after Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Footage broadcast on news channel BFM showed scenes of tension and brief clashes around PSG’s Parc de Princes stadium in west Paris; where more than 40,000 people watched on giant screens as the club won its second consecutive title on penalties at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
Paris police said that by 23:00 (21:00 BST) police had made more than 130 arrests. A police spokesman told Reuters six vehicles and two storefronts were damaged.
According to reports in France, some PSG fans were seen throwing fireworks at police officers who responded with tear gas during the celebrations, while others were seen wearing T-shirts reading “FU*K ARSENAL 2026” and standing next to burning Lime Bikes on the streets of the city.
During the clashes, smoke was seen rising from many places.
Police were seen running after groups of fans in riot gear and extinguishing flares thrown onto the road.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said “there is a very solid, very robust system in place” to prevent violence.
A police spokesman said: “Our responsibility is to guarantee everyone a calm and completely safe festive celebration.”
France deployed 22,000 police to maintain order in the capital. Last year, two people died and nearly 200 people were injured after PSG beat Inter Milan to win the Champions League title for the first time.
TV footage showed the Champs-Élysées Boulevard, which authorities had partially cordoned off, was filled with mostly peaceful PSG fans. Police estimated the crowd’s number at 20,000. Some fans threw fireworks and lit torches.
