PSG defeated Arsenal on penalties to win the Champions League for the second year in a row, but the celebrations in Paris turned ugly as police used tear gas and 416 people were arrested.
Clashes break out with French riot police as Paris Saint-Germain supporters celebrate their victory over Arsenal (Image: Abdullah Firas/ABACA/Shutterstock)
French police arrested 416 people in the early hours of Sunday as Champions League celebrations descended into chaos after PSG’s win over Arsenal. The Paris giants had to overturn Kai Havertz’s early goal in Budapest.
Ousmane Dembele equalized from the penalty spot and the match went to penalties with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel shooting out from 12 yards out. And as jubilation spread across the French capital as PSG claimed European titles, thousands of police were called in to quell the chaos, disrupting bus, train and rail services as festivities began to spiral out of control in the streets.
Fireworks and smoke bombs were ignited after a police officer was injured when tear gas was used to disperse crowds that had gathered in the city centre. The Champs-Elysées was filled with Paris supporters and red smoke as soccer fans gathered on the famous boulevard.
Ahead of Saturday’s show in Europe, footage has emerged on social media of businesses taking extreme measures to limit damage, with shop windows boarded up after the finals. New video evidence has come to light showing how the celebrations quickly descended into chaos as clashes with police quickly spread.
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French authorities said 416 people had been detained as of early Sunday, including 280 in Paris. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the chaos was “absolutely unacceptable.” He added that there are “very strong, very robust systems in place” to prevent violence.
A police spokesperson said: “Our responsibility is to ensure a peaceful and completely safe celebration for everyone.”
Far-right politician Marine Le Pen declared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “France is the only place where a victory for a football club causes a riot.”
Chaos ensued in Paris after PSG’s victory over Arsenal in the Champions League final (Image: AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
“Only in France, on the night of victory, does everyone feel the need to lock themselves in their homes to avoid facing violence.”
PSG players are due to return to the capital on Sunday as part of the victory parade. The procession will depart from the Champ de Mars Park, next to the Eiffel Tower, and will be followed by a reception hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Arsenal supporters missed out on tickets to Budapest, so they watched the games across London and at the Emirates Stadium. But they are also due to return to the capital for a parade on Sunday, ending a 20-year wait to return to the top of English football.
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