PSG supporters gather on the Champs-Elysees Avenue for celebrations, May 30, 2026. (AFP Photo)
May 31, 2026 11:51 AM GMT+03:00
Celebrations turned into violent clashes across France on Saturday night after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a historic victory in the UEFA Champions League final.
While thousands of fans poured onto the streets to celebrate the title, festive gatherings quickly devolved into property damage, fires, and tense standoffs with law enforcement.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that police arrested 416 people across the country, with the vast majority, 283 arrests, taking place in the Paris metropolitan area alone.
Denouncing the unrest as “absolutely unacceptable,” Nunez revealed that seven police officers were injured during the night’s events, including one officer in Agen who suffered a serious head injury.
The violence was not contained to the capital; looting and unrest were reported in roughly 15 cities nationwide, including Rennes, Strasbourg, Clermont-Ferrand, and Grenoble, while minor arrests occurred in Reims.
Police officers run to disperse PSG supporters on the Champs-Elysees Avenue, May 30, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Destruction, interventions in capital
According to the Paris police prefecture, law enforcement had anticipated potential friction and deployed an extraordinary force of 22,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide, including 8,000 in Paris, to maintain order alongside other major concurrent events like the Roland-Garros tournament and major concerts.
Despite these security measures, widespread damage occurred as six vehicles were damaged, and a bakery and restaurant near Porte de Saint-Cloud were targeted.
Law enforcement had to execute rapid interventions to clear four separate attempts to block the Paris ring road. Projectiles were also thrown at police near the Champs-Elysées, where an initial crowd of up to 5,000 swelled significantly after the match concluded.
At the Parc des Princes, a crowd of approximately 150 people attempted to force their way through a stadium entrance gate before being pushed back by police.
Additionally, individuals attempted to attack a police station in the 8th arrondissement, and authorities seized 24 flares and roughly 100 mortars over the course of the evening. Outside of the clashes, isolated incidents included a knife injury in Barbès and a drunk individual falling into the Seine.
Car set ablaze as PSG supporters celebrate their team’s win, May 30, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Transport halts and upcoming celebrations
The heavy volume of street gatherings and security interventions severely impacted public transit, forcing IDF Mobilite to suspend numerous lines to protect passengers and transit workers.
The figures echo similar unrest from the previous year, which saw 563 national arrests.
Despite the volatile night, official celebrations are set to continue Sunday afternoon with a massive player parade at the Champs-de-Mars—where 100,000 fans are expected—followed by a reception with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace.
May 31, 2026 11:51 AM GMT+03:00