Paris, May 31, (dpa/GNA) – Hundreds of people were detained and dozens of police officers injured across France following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory over Arsenal, as celebrations in several cities turned into unrest.
Releasing updated figures, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Sunday that 780 people had been detained nationwide, including some 480 in the Paris metropolitan area. In addition, 57 police officers were injured, with all figures possibly to change again as the assessment of the incidents is ongoing.
Authorities spoke of a 30% increase from last year, when PSG won the Champions League for the first time. Two people were killed, nearly 200 injured and 559 detained in 2025. Authorities also recorded nearly 700 fires, with many cars set alight. “There were celebratory gatherings accompanied by a series of riots, which was in line with the situation we had anticipated,” Nuñez told a news conference earlier Sunday. “These riots are absolutely unacceptable.”
Incidents were reported in around 15 cities across the country. In Paris, the situation was particularly tense around the Champs-Élysées boulevard, where thousands of people gathered after the match. Masked individuals clashed with security forces, with projectiles thrown and tear gas deployed.
Videos circulating on social media showed burning vehicles, barricades being erected and fireworks directed at people. Fans gathered to watch PSG defeat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties on a big screen in the team’s Parc des Princes home stadium, which French media reported was almost completely full.
Some 22,000 police officers were on duty across France, including around 8,000 in the capital. The team was set to return from Budapest later on Sunday, with a big reception planned in Paris.
GNA