French authorities have detained hundreds of people following violent disturbances that erupted during celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory, with unrest spreading across Paris and other cities late Saturday night.
According to the French interior ministry, police questioned around 780 people nationwide and detained 457 individuals after celebrations turned disorderly following PSG’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Arsenal in Budapest. The victory marked the club’s second consecutive Champions League title, prompting large-scale public celebrations across France.
In Paris alone, 283 people were detained as thousands of fans gathered in key locations including the Champs-Élysées and areas near the Arc de Triomphe. Officials estimated that around 20,000 supporters converged on the famous boulevard, where many set off flares, sounded car horns and filled the streets in celebration.
While much of the crowd remained festive, authorities said smaller groups caused significant disruptions. The Paris police prefecture reported incidents of vandalism, arson and property damage in several districts. Vehicles were set on fire, and both a bakery and a restaurant were damaged during the unrest. One police officer was reported injured during the clashes.
Tensions escalated in parts of the capital as some groups attempted to storm a police station in the upscale 8th arrondissement. Police intervened and dispersed the crowd, making several arrests during the incident. By around 10 p.m., authorities said 45 people had already been taken into custody as security operations intensified across the city.
Disruptions were also reported on the main ring road encircling Paris, where crowds briefly blocked traffic before being cleared by police. In the 16th arrondissement near the PSG stadium, officers moved in to break up a gathering of around 1,000 people and dismantled barricades that had been constructed using bicycles.
The interior ministry confirmed that nationwide arrests included individuals involved in public disorder, vandalism and attempted attacks on police facilities. Security forces were deployed in large numbers across Paris to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
The unrest comes a year after similar scenes followed PSG’s earlier Champions League success, when heightened security measures were in place across the capital. During those celebrations, more than 500 arrests were made nationwide and 201 people were injured in Paris amid widespread clashes.
This year’s victory places PSG among a small group of clubs in modern Champions League history to retain the title in consecutive seasons. However, the celebrations were again overshadowed by episodes of violence, prompting renewed scrutiny of crowd control measures during major sporting events in the French capital.
