At least 294 people were arrested for football-related violence and looting in the French capital last night as ‘barbarians took to the streets’ following Paris St Germain being crowned European Champions.
Alleged ‘savagery’ broke out across the city before, during and after PSG demolished Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League Final in Munich, Germany, on Saturday night.
‘By 2 a.m. Sunday, a total of 294 arrests had been made,’ according to French police, including 30 who broke into a shoe shop on the Champs-Élysées.
The Historic Victory
In what became the most one-sided Champions League final in history, Paris Saint-Germain absolutely humiliated Inter Milan with a stunning 5-0 victory at Munich’s Allianz Arena. PSG delivered the most one-sided Champions League final scoreline in the competition’s history.
The French giants’ dream of European glory finally became reality as 19-year-old sensation Désiré Doué stole the show with two goals and an assist, while former Inter defender Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and substitute Senny Mayulu also found the net.
Their margin of victory was the largest in a European Cup final, with their goal tally only surpassed by Real Madrid’s seven in 1960.
‘Barbarians’ Take to the Streets
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau didn’t mince words as chaos erupted across the capital, declaring: “True PSG supporters are enjoying their team’s magnificent match. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke the police.
The minister’s harsh language came as violent scenes unfolded throughout the night, with “It is unbearable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing,” he added.
Violence Erupts Across Paris
The celebrations quickly descended into chaos as:
- Bus shelters were smashed up and projectiles hurled at riot police, who fired tear gas and water canons to push back surging crowds on the iconic Champs-Élysées
- Two cars were set alight close to Parc des Princes
- Outside the stadium, there was a brief altercation during the first half between celebrating PSG fans cracking off flares, and riot police who used tear gas to disperse them
- At the top of the Champs-Élysées avenue, a water cannon was used to protect the Place de l’Étoile, near the landmark Arc de Triomphe
Security Forces Overwhelmed
Despite deploying 5,400 police officers across key parts of Paris and its suburbs, authorities struggled to contain the widespread disorder that erupted throughout the night.
National Rally leader Jordan Bardella slammed the government’s response, stating: “The security risk of this evening was clearly underestimated, and the response was undersized. Paris is being handed over to the rioters.”
He added: “As with every popular festival, the French capital becomes a playground for thugs. Always the same profiles and always the same state impotence.”
Star Player’s Plea Falls on Deaf Ears
Even PSG’s match hero Ousmane Dembélé, who scored in the final, tried to calm the situation, urging fans: “Let’s celebrate this but not tear everything up in Paris.”
However, his words appeared to have little effect as the violence continued well into the early hours of Sunday morning.
Tragedy in Grenoble
The celebrations turned deadly in the southeastern city of Grenoble, where a car drove into a crowd of PSG fans, injuring four people from the same family, including at least two seriously. A 17-year-old boy is in life-threatening condition.
Political Controversy
The evening’s events sparked immediate political backlash, with opposition politician Thomas Portes accusing Interior Minister Retailleau of racism for using the term “barbarians,” writing: “We may have political disagreements, but the word ‘barbarian’ has no place coming from the mouth of the Interior Minister.
President Macron Celebrates Despite Chaos
Despite the violence, French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “A glorious day for PSG! Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe this evening.”
The president announced he would receive the players at the Élysée Palace on Sunday, with a victory parade planned down the Champs-Élysées.
A Night of Contrasts
While genuine football fans celebrated their club’s historic first Champions League triumph – marking the second final victory by a French club after Marseille in 1993 – the violent minority once again tarnished what should have been a night of pure joy for Paris.
As dawn broke over the French capital, shop owners began assessing the damage while city workers cleared debris from the streets, a stark reminder of how quickly celebration can turn to chaos in the City of Light.
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[…] Paris Saint-Germain‘s historic first Champions League triumph was marred by tragedy last night as two people died and 559 were arrested during wild celebrations that descended into urban warfare across France. […]
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