Hundreds Detained in Paris Amid PSG Fans’ Champions League Celebration

PARIS: On Saturday night, hundreds of Paris Saint-Germain supporters filled the streets of Paris to celebrate their club’s first-ever Champions League title.

While most fans were in high spirits, singing and dancing, police made nearly 300 arrests as some celebrations escalated into disorder. Fireworks were set off, and clashes occurred near iconic locations like the Champs-Élysées and Parc des Princes stadium.

The police utilized water cannons to manage the crowds as the festive atmosphere turned volatile in some areas of the city.

According to Paris police, brawls erupted around the Champs-Élysées and PSG’s home stadium, where 48,000 fans had gathered to watch the 5–0 victory against Inter Milan on giant screens.

Most of the nearly 300 individuals detained were believed to be involved with fireworks and creating disruptions, as per Paris police reports.

AFP reporters witnessed police using a water cannon to prevent a crowd from reaching the Arc de Triomphe.

“Disruptive elements on the Champs-Élysées aimed to instigate incidents, repeatedly clashing with the police by throwing fireworks and other objects,” the police stated.

Outside Paris, a vehicle sped into fans celebrating PSG’s win in Grenoble, located in southeastern France, injuring four people, two of them critically. All those injured were from the same family, according to the police.

The driver turned himself in and was subsequently arrested. Authorities believe the incident was unintentional.

In Paris, the majority of fans expressed their joy through singing and dancing in the streets, with car horns blaring, after their team secured the most prestigious trophy in European club football for the first time.

Clément, a 20-year-old PSG fan, shared, “This victory feels incredible and is well-deserved! We have a anthem that speaks to our struggles, and it hasn’t always been easy. This year, we found our faith again with a team that isn’t just about stars; they’re 11 players working together.”

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office announced he would meet with the victorious players on Sunday to congratulate them.

In a separate post on social media platform X, Macron celebrated it as a “day of glory for PSG.” He wrote, “Bravo, we are all proud; tonight, Paris is the capital of Europe.”

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo described the win as “historic.”

The PSG team is set to hold a victory parade on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday, where tens of thousands of supporters are anticipated to gather to welcome their champions back home.