Paris police detained dozens of people on Saturday night after celebrations for Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League title turned violent in parts of the French capital. PSG fans had gathered across Paris after the club defeated Arsenal on penalties in a dramatic final in Budapest, securing the team’s second Champions League title. What began as a night of celebration later saw outbreaks of vandalism, fires and clashes with police in several areas of the city.
According to the Paris police prefecture, 45 people had been taken into custody by 10pm as officers worked to contain unrest near major gathering points.
Thousands Gather Near Champs-Elysees
After the final whistle, supporters poured into central Paris to celebrate PSG’s victory. Around 20,000 fans gathered near the Champs-Elysees, while many others marched through avenues close to the Arc de Triomphe. Supporters waved flags, set off flares and sounded car horns as the city marked another European title for the club.
Most of the celebrations were festive, but police said smaller groups began causing disturbances in different locations.
Shops Damaged and Cars Set on Fire
Authorities said several incidents of vandalism were reported during the night. Some shops were damaged, while vehicles were set on fire in parts of the city. Police also said a bakery and a restaurant were among the businesses affected.
One police officer was injured during the unrest. In another serious incident, a group attempted to storm a police station in the 8th Arrondissement, one of Paris’s most upscale districts. Police said the group was dispersed before the situation escalated further.
Ring Road Briefly Blocked
The disturbances were not limited to central Paris. A crowd briefly blocked the main ring road around the city before police moved in and cleared the area. Officers also contained around 1,000 people who had gathered near PSG’s stadium in the 16th Arrondissement. Police later removed barricades made from bicycles near the stadium area.
The incidents reflected the scale of the security challenge facing authorities as they tried to manage both large celebrations and smaller groups involved in disorder.
Paris Had Deployed Heavy Security
Paris had already been on high alert before the match because of previous violence linked to PSG title celebrations. Last year, after PSG won its first Champions League title, celebrations in the French capital were followed by serious disorder. More than 200 people were injured, and police made over 500 arrests across France.
Because of that history, around 8,000 police officers were deployed across Paris for this year’s final. The large security presence was intended to prevent celebrations from spiralling out of control, especially around symbolic locations such as the Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and the area near PSG’s stadium.
PSG Win Sparks Massive Celebration
PSG’s victory over Arsenal marked another historic night for the club. The French side won the Champions League final on penalties after a tense match in Hungary, adding a second European crown to its recent success.
For many supporters, the win confirmed PSG’s position among Europe’s elite. However, the celebrations in Paris were overshadowed by the violence that broke out after the match. While most fans celebrated peacefully, the actions of smaller groups led to arrests, property damage and a major police response across the capital.
Authorities Work to Restore Order
Police spent the evening dispersing crowds, clearing road blockages and responding to fires and vandalism. By late Saturday night, authorities said they had contained several of the main disturbances, though officers remained active around key areas of Paris.
The unrest has once again raised questions about how French authorities can manage large-scale football celebrations when major victories bring tens of thousands of fans into the streets. For PSG, the night ended with another Champions League trophy. For Paris police, it became another major public order operation following one of the biggest football moments in the city’s recent history.