French police arrested dozens of people on Saturday night as clashes erupted in the capital during celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Champions League final victory.
While thousands of fans poured onto the streets to mark the win, the night was marred by unrest, resulting in the detention of 79 people, 45 of whom were taken into custody, reports AFP.
According to police reports, six vehicles and two businesses were damaged, and one police officer sustained injuries during the disturbances.
A massive security operation was in place for the event, with 22,000 police officers deployed across France, including 8,000 in Paris.
The heavy presence followed significant unrest during PSG’s appearance in the competition last year. To minimise disturbances, authorities halted tram lines, shut several metro stations, and suspended bus traffic in various locations.
In the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue, approximately 20,000 people converged to celebrate the dramatic penalty shoot-out victory.
Despite many shops boarding their windows to avoid a repeat of last year’s looting, a bus shelter was destroyed in the area.
Further violence was reported near PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, where tens of thousands had gathered inside to watch the match, which was played in Budapest.
A crowd of 4,000 to 5,000 people loitered, with some throwing projectiles at security forces. A police spokesperson confirmed that about 150 people “attempted to enter through one of the gates” but were pushed back by officers.
Police responded with tear gas after fireworks were thrown at them.
Some individuals also attempted to erect a barricade using rental bikes, which was subsequently cleared by police. Additional damage was reported at a bakery and a restaurant near the stadium.
Throughout the evening, authorities seized two dozen flares and approximately 100 fireworks. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that there was a “very robust, very solid system in place” to curb the violence.
“Our responsibility is to guarantee everyone a festive celebration that is calm and fully secure,” a police spokesperson added.
Security measures were heightened this year after supporters ransacked shops on Champs-Elysees and other streets following the PSG win last year, which resulted in hundreds of arrests.
