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03-06-2026
PARIS: Clashes between football fans and police across France have led to more than 400 arrests following the victory of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League final against Arsenal.
Thousands of officers were deployed to curb unrest that disrupted bus, train and rail services in the capital Paris.
Fireworks and flares were set off, while several police officers were injured in the fray. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds in the city centre.
While it marked a consecutive victory for PSG, it was also the second year in a row of football-fueled violence, after the French side’s 2025 win sparked celebrations that turned deadly.
Footage from Paris appears to show flares being set off, electric bikes burning on roads and revelers smashing the glass of at least one shopfront.
The Champs-Elysees was swarmed by fans shortly after the French team won in a penalty shootout. Earlier in the day there were clashes between police and supporters who showed up to watch the final on giant screens at PSG’s Parc des Princes.
Police said six vehicles, two businesses and a bus shelter were damaged during the unrest.
France’s interior ministry said 416 were arrested in the early hours of Sunday, including 280 people in Paris.
Interior minister Laurent Nunez said seven officers had been injured and called the unrest “absolutely unacceptable”.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen wrote on social media “Only in France does a football club’s victory spark riots.”
“Only in France does everyone feel compelled to lock themselves in their homes on the evening of a victory to avoid being confronted with violence,” she said.
Players are due to take part in a victory parade on Sunday afternoon, which includes touring the Champ-de-Mars next to the Eiffel Tower and a reception held by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Last year, PSG’s European championship triumph was marred by clashes that left two people dead, including a 17-year-old boy.
In last June, two people were died and hundreds have been arrested across France after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans celebrated the club’s victory in the Champions League final.
In the south-west town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the chest late on Saturday evening, according local media reported.
Flares and fireworks were set off, bus shelters smashed and cars torched amid wild celebrations as PSG won the biggest prize in European club football for the first time in their history.
PSG condemned the violence in a statement, adding that these “isolated acts are contrary to the club’s values and in no way represent the vast majority of our supporters”. French President Emmanuel Macron said the clashes were “unacceptable” and unjustifiable and that those involved will be found and punished.
The club’s victory parade in central Paris went ahead on Sunday afternoon despite the clashes but with an increased police and military presence on the ground.
Police set a cap of 100,000 fans for the event, which saw PSG make their way down the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe on an open-top bus.
A second commemoration is currently taking place at the club’s home stadium, Parc des Princes, with thousands of fans invited to celebrate their win.
France’s interior ministry said 192 people were injured in the clashes in the early hours of Sunday and 559 people arrested, including 491 in Paris. (Int’l News Desk)
