Jubilant celebrations turned deadly across France after Paris Saint-Germain’s stunning 5–0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, as violent unrest left two people dead, nearly 560 arrested, and hundreds injured, according to the French Interior Ministry.
The violence erupted late Saturday into Sunday, with crowds initially gathering to revel in PSG’s long-awaited European triumph before clashes with security forces spiraled out of control.
Authorities reported 192 injuries, including 30 police officers—one of whom remains in a coma after being struck by a firework in Coutances. Preliminary investigations suggest the blast was likely unintentional.
Amid the chaos:
A 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed during street festivities in Dax.
A man in his 20s died after being hit by a car while riding a scooter in Paris.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the perpetrators as “savages,” highlighting that 692 fires were recorded, 264 of them involving vehicles. Firefighters were also attacked while extinguishing blazes, with seven emergency responders injured.
In Paris, where tensions were highest, 491 of the 559 arrests took place. Police used tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons to disperse rioters near the Arc de Triomphe, where individuals launched fireworks at officers and tried to breach security cordons.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said many came to celebrate peacefully, but a significant number arrived solely to provoke violence. A looting spree also ensued, with 30 individuals arrested for ransacking a shoe store. Four businesses were targeted in total, and two vehicles were torched near Parc des Princes.
As PSG prepares for a victory parade on the Champs-Élysées, authorities have increased police and military presence across the capital to prevent further unrest.
The post-match riots have cast a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a historic night for French football, raising renewed concerns over public safety during major sporting events.
