PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final was marred by tragedy and chaos across France, as two people died and 559 were arrested during overnight celebrations, the French Interior Ministry reported Sunday.
The streets of Paris, particularly the famed Champs-Elysées, became the epicenter of euphoria as jubilant fans set off fireworks, blared car horns, and sang in celebration of PSG’s first-ever European title. But celebrations soon descended into violence, with widespread clashes between fans and police.
A staggering 491 people were arrested in Paris alone, as police deployed water cannons and clashed with “troublemakers” hurling fireworks and projectiles. Elsewhere in France, an additional 68 people were detained, bringing the total number of arrests nationwide to 559.
Two lives were tragically lost during the celebrations. In Paris, a man on a motor scooter was fatally struck by a car in the 15th arrondissement, not far from the city’s center. In Dax, southwestern France, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death at a celebration gathering. Authorities have not confirmed if the stabbing was directly related to the football celebrations, and the suspect remains at large.
Emergency services were stretched across the country. The ministry reported 692 fire incidents overnight, including 264 vehicles torched. A total of 21 police officers and seven firefighters were injured, alongside 192 civilians.
In Grenoble, a car plowed into a crowd of celebrating fans, injuring four members of the same family, two seriously. The driver later turned himself in and tested negative for drugs and alcohol. Authorities believe the incident was accidental.
Despite the turmoil, PSG is set to celebrate with a victory parade on Sunday along the Champs-Elysées. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend. President Emmanuel Macron also plans to host the team to offer congratulations.
“This is a day of glory for PSG,” Macron posted on X. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo hailed the win as “historic.”
An estimated 11.5 million people in France tuned in to watch the final, marking a momentous occasion for PSG and French football. One fan, 20-year-old Clement, summed up the mood: “It’s so good and so deserved! We’ve struggled, but this team – without stars – brought back our faith. They played for each other.”
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