At least 131 people were arrested for football-related violence and looting in the French capital tonight as ‘barbarians took to the streets’ following Paris St Germain being crowned European Champions.
Alleged ‘savagery’ broke out across the city before,during and after PSG beat Inter Milan in the Champions League Final in Munich, Germany, on Saturday night.
‘There have been widespread scenes of disorder, and 131 arrests by midnight,’ said a spokesman for the city’s Police Prefecture.
‘The trouble has continued well into Sunday morning, and officers are mobilised around numerous flashpoints.’
Bruno Retailleau, France’s Interior Minister, reacted to the disorder by writing on X: ‘True PSG fans are getting excited about their team’s magnificent performance.
‘Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement.
‘I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses.
‘I offer my support to the Police Prefect and all the police officers who are ensuring everyone’s safety this evening.
At least 131 people were arrested for football-related violence and looting in the French capital tonight as ‘barbarians took to the streets’ to watch it burn on Saturday
Alleged ‘savagery’ broke out across the city before,during and after PSG beat Inter Milan in the Champions League Final in Munich
Multiple fires broke out around the capital with bikes and mattresses smouldering as police confirmed a flurry of arrests
Footage showed a car was even set on fire, forcing firefighters to battle the blaze
‘It is unacceptable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.’
Major roads close to Parc des Princes, the PSG home ground were invaded by fans, bringing traffic to a halt.
This led to riot police trying to restore order using tear gas and baton charges.
Cars were set on fire around the Porte de Saint-Cloud – a major traffic intersection, where rocket fireworks were fired at police.
Huge crowds gathered in all the city’s major squares, including République, Bastille, and Nation, where videos posted on X showed some of the worst violence.
At Bastille, a 23-year-old woman was seriously injured after falling onto barriers from the famous column commemorating the Storming of the Bastille in 1789.
A ring of steel had been created around the Champs-Élysées, with major department stores and banks using steel shutters to try and keep looters away.
PSG’s official club shops on the Champs, and at their ground, were also barricaded over the weekend.
French firefighters extinguished street fires that had cropped up around the capital as police and PSG ultras continued to clash throughout the night
Fireworks were set off as supporters and police officers clashed in violent scenes
Major roads close to Parc des Princes, the PSG home ground were invaded by fans, bringing traffic to a halt which led to riot police trying to restore order using tear gas and baton charges
Tear gas was deployed to break up large crowds as celebrations took a dark turn
Major roads close to Parc des Princes, the PSG home ground were invaded by fans, bringing traffic to a halt
Despite this, a Foot Locker sports store on Champs-Élysées was broken into, and goods including multiple trainers stolen.
A Maisons du Monde furniture store on the nearby Avenue Wagram was also looted, said a police spokesman.
‘The crowds are going wild,’ said an eye-witness, who asked to be referred to as Jacques, 18.
‘Many people are just enjoying the win, on a historic night for PSG, while others just want to be violent, and to vandalise or steal stuff – it is shameful.’
Youths wearing masks and hoodies were meanwhile seen roaming around the city looking for trouble.
Motorbikes and discared mattresses were set alight, sending thick black smoke billowing through the night sky.
There was even fighting reported around the Eiffel Tower, which was lit up in PSG’s red, white and blue following their 5-0 win.
Around 5,400 police officers were on duty across the Paris, as trouble was always expected, whatever the result.
Cars were set on fire around the Porte de Saint-Cloud – a major traffic intersection, where rocket fireworks were fired at police
Huge crowds gathered in all the city’s major squares, including République, Bastille, and Nation, where videos posted on X showed some of the worst violence
A ring of steel had been created around the Champs-Élysées, with major department stores and banks using steel shutters to try and keep looters away
Paris St Germain fans drove through the French capital waving flags as riot police attempted to disperse crowds
PSG fans have an increasingly bad reputation for hooliganism, and some attacked fans from Arsenal and Aston Villa during this year’s Champion’s League campaign.
There was also trouble reported in Munich, where rival French and Italian fans fought each other.
‘It is unbearable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.’
There were also unsightly clashes between supporters in Munich. Pre-match footage showed fights breaking out on public transport heading to the Allianz Arena.
Some supporters even threw stones at each other near the stadium, Bild claimed.
This is not the first time PS fans have run amok through the French capital.
Earlier this month a car was set alight by a gang of youths after PSG’s victory over Arsenal in the French capital.
The horrific aftermath was captured on video and plastered on social media in the early hours of Thursday following the Champions League semi-final game a few hours earlier.
There was even fighting reported around the Eiffel Tower, which was lit up in PSG’s red, white and blue following their 5-0 win
French police went through the streets in full riot gear with batons in an attempt to control crowds
At Bastille, a 23-year-old woman was seriously injured after falling onto barriers from the famous column commemorating the Storming of the Bastille in 1789
Youths wearing masks and hoodies were meanwhile seen roaming around the city looking for trouble
Police clashed with rioters on the Champs Elysees avenue
PSG supporters celebrated with fireworks after PSG won the UEFA Champions League final in fornt of one of France’s most iconic landmarks the Arc de Triomphe
‘The worst incident so far involved a car apparently being driven into a group of PSG fans,’ said a local police source.
‘At least three supporters were injured, one seriously, and others were sent flying. A gang then chased the car, setting it on fire and leaving it to burn after they forced it to stop in a side street.’
One of them was seen being carried on a stretcher by first responders, according to French outlet Le Parisien.
After the car ploughed into crowds of people, dozens of football fans are said to have chased the vehicle.