Vidostream | News, sport and opinion from the Vidostream's US Edition

https://vidostream.com

Paris Erupts in Celebrations, Riots After PSG Wins Champions League

Hundreds were detained after soccer fans’ jubilation gave way to violence in parts of the French capital

Police on Paris’s Champs-Élysées take cover during Saturday night’s clashes. Photo: abdul saboor/Reuters

Police on Paris’s Champs-Élysées take cover during Saturday night’s clashes. Photo: abdul saboor/Reuters

PARIS—Raucous street celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s first Champions League title spilled over into rioting and clashes with police in parts of the French capital, leading to hundreds of arrests.

Paris erupted late Saturday with honking car horns after the victory, as soccer fans waved PSG flags, set off fireworks, thronged streets and disrupted traffic. On Paris’s Champs-Élysées, and on a portion of the city ring road, some people skirmished with police, who fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, according to videos of the incidents.

Nationwide, two people died and more than 190 were injured, according to a provisional tally from the French interior ministry. More than 260 cars were burned and more than 500 people were detained. 

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau blamed the riots on what he called barbarians, who were taking advantage of the celebrations to provoke police. “It is unacceptable that you can’t celebrate without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing,” Retailleau wrote on X after the game, saying he had ordered police to stop the mayhem.

Sporadic riots aren’t uncommon in France after major sports events, or even on New Year’s Eve. Officials for a time published a yearly tally of how many cars were burned during New Year’s riots, until they decided that the public numbers were encouraging more burnings. 

Officials had mobilized thousands of police to contain the jubilation after the match, in which PSG defeated Inter Milan in Munich. Many will also be on duty to secure the victory parade that is set to take place on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday afternoon.

Write to Sam Schechner at Sam.Schechner@wsj.com

Author: Editors Desk, Sam Schechner

Source: WSJ:

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy.
You did not use the site, Click here to remain logged. Timeout: 60 second