Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) cruised to victory in the UEFA Champions League final, drubbing Inter Milan, 5-0. That match caught the attention of an incredible 11.5 million viewers throughout France. It ignited jubilation … jubilation that was fun, but connected to trauma. While many supporters remained outside, an estimated 48,000 fans packed Parc des Princes to watch the full match on giant screens. What started as excitement soon turned to mayhem across the country.
Though much of the country celebrated the team’s historic victory, the Ministry of the Interior announced that two people died in celebration-related incidents. Meanwhile, in Paris a man on a shared scooter was hit and killed by a car in the southern 15th arrondissement. At the same time, in the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old was stabbed to death at a party. In total, law enforcement nationwide made 559 arrests. In Paris specifically, they arrested 491 people amid the post-match celebrations.
Celebrations Turn Chaotic
The mood in Paris was optimism and electricity. Car horns were honking, shouts of joy rang out as residents rushed into the streets, and fireworks exploded in the clear midnight sky. All wasn’t perfect as clashes broke out in central Paris, close to the famous Champs-Elysees avenue. Police used water cannons to push protesters away from the Arc de Triomphe. Tensions only intensified and spilled over into wrongful arrests as they turned into scuffles between fans and law enforcement.
“Troublemakers on the Champs-Elysees were looking to create incidents and repeatedly came into contact with police by throwing large fireworks and other objects,” – police
In the wake of these disruptions, some hardcore supporters came out in droves to make clear their pride in PSG’s accomplishment. One supporter, Clement, reflected on the team’s spirit and unity:
“It’s so good and so deserved! We have a song that talks about our struggles, and it hasn’t always been easy. But we got our faith back this year with a team without stars. They’re 11 guys who play for each other.”
Government Response
In light of PSG’s victory and the ensuing chaos, French President Emmanuel Macron’s office announced that he would host the victorious players on Sunday to extend his congratulations. French president Emmanuel Macron celebrated the occasion, calling it a “day of glory for PSG.” He touched on how monumental their victory was for the organization, their fans and his players.
The question was whether as celebrations continued to unfold across France, authorities would be able to maintain security and public safety amidst increased tensions. The focus now shifts to managing these celebrations while honoring the lives lost during what should have been a joyous occasion.
