French authorities confirmed more than 400 arrests after celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League victory erupted into widespread violence, arson, and clashes with police in Paris and other cities overnight.
The unrest followed PSG’s historic triumph in Europe’s top club competition on Saturday night, triggering massive celebrations as thousands of supporters took to the streets across France to mark the win.
In Paris, crowds gathered in large numbers at the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde and around the Parc des Princes stadium shortly after the final whistle. The early atmosphere was described as jubilant, with fans chanting, waving flags and lighting flares as the city celebrated its first major European football title in years.
However, as the night progressed, sections of the crowds became increasingly chaotic. Police said groups of individuals began engaging in vandalism, setting vehicles on fire, damaging public infrastructure and targeting shopfronts.
Riot police were deployed across central Paris as disturbances escalated. Officers used tear gas and dispersal tactics after coming under attack from fireworks, bottles and stones. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as celebratory gatherings turned into confrontations between police and groups of masked youths.
According to France’s Interior Ministry, more than 400 people were arrested nationwide by Sunday morning, with most detentions taking place in the capital. Authorities said suspects were held on charges including arson, theft, vandalism and violence against law enforcement officers.
Officials said thousands of officers had been deployed in advance of the match to manage expected celebrations, but the scale of the crowds and spontaneous nature of the gatherings overwhelmed parts of the security operation.
Emergency services responded to multiple incidents throughout the night, including fires and reports of injuries. Several police officers were confirmed to have been hurt during clashes, although officials have not yet released full casualty figures.
The violence also spread to other cities including Lyon, Marseille and Lille, where smaller groups of supporters gathered. While most celebrations remained peaceful, isolated incidents of disorder were reported in several locations.
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated PSG on their historic victory but condemned the violence that followed, saying such acts would be met with legal consequences.
Interior Ministry officials said investigations were ongoing, with CCTV footage and social media videos being reviewed to identify additional suspects involved in the unrest.
By Sunday morning, order had largely been restored in affected areas, though police maintained a visible presence in key districts of Paris as clean-up operations began.
Authorities say the incidents are among the most significant cases of football-related unrest in France in recent years, overshadowing what was otherwise a landmark sporting achievement for PSG.
