Paris Saint-Germain secured its second consecutive Champions League title after defeating Arsenal on penalties in a dramatic final in Budapest. While fans gathered in the thousands to celebrate, including 40,000 at the Parc des Princes stadium and 20,000 on the Champs-Elysees, the festivities were marred by widespread violence across Paris and approximately 15 other French cities.
The celebrations turned into riots on Saturday night, with groups of supporters clashing with police and setting fire to cars and rental bike stands. Rioters vandalized storefronts, including a restaurant and a bakery, while a group attempted to storm a police station in Paris' 8th Arrondissement. The unrest resulted in more than 200 injuries, including 57 police officers, and one young man died following a motorcycle accident.
To maintain order, the government deployed over 20,000 officers who used tear gas to disperse crowds. The interior ministry reported that 416 people were detained nationwide, including 283 in Paris, though other reports cited up to 780 arrests. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the violence as absolutely unacceptable, stating that the situation was overall under control.
The unrest has reignited debates over street violence and social divides in France. Marine Le Pen of the National Rally called for firmer law-and-order policies, while Raphael Glucksmann suggested that society is acting as a pressure cooker ready to explode. This follows similar chaotic celebrations last year after PSG's first title, which resulted in two deaths and over 500 arrests. Despite the violence, planned victory parades at the Champ de Mars and a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron proceeded.