A car burns and fireworks explode as police watch Paris Saint-Germain supporters celebrate in Paris (AP Photo)
Celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win over Arsenal were overshadowed by widespread unrest across France, with authorities confirming 780 people were arrested overnight and several serious incidents reported across the country.Paris Saint-Germain achieved a dramatic victory in Budapest on Saturday, sparking scenes of jubilation among fans in Paris and other cities. Thousands flocked to public places to celebrate the club’s recent European success, but celebrations quickly turned chaotic in several locations.
French authorities anticipated potential problems and deployed about 22,000 police officers and security personnel across the country.
Despite the large-scale operation, clashes broke out between groups of supporters and law enforcement officers in a number of areas.Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said police encountered an unusually high number of fireworks launched directly at officers during the unrest. In statements to reporters on Sunday, he revealed that dozens of members of the security forces were injured during the unrest.“There were 219 participants infected in France, including eight in serious condition.”
He also confirmed that 57 police officers and other security personnel were injured while responding to the incidents.The celebrations were marred by more tragedy. According to the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, a man in his 20s died after his motorcycle collided with concrete barriers on the exit ramp of the Paris ring road.Authorities also reported another serious incident in the capital, where a young man was seriously injured in a knife attack that investigators believe may be linked to a robbery.Outside Paris, incidents of violence and unrest were recorded across the country. A limited number of thefts and looting incidents occurred in about 15 cities, while unrest was reported in 71 municipalities, Nunez said.The extent of the unrest exceeded last year’s celebrations after Paris Saint-Germain’s previous Champions League victory. According to the Minister of the Interior, the total number of arrests represents an increase of 32 percent compared to the numbers recorded during the club’s title celebrations a year ago.Attention now turns to Sunday’s victory parade in Paris. About 100,000 fans are expected to gather near the Eiffel Tower to welcome the players before the team travels to the Elysee Palace to attend a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.Nunez warned that the authorities will maintain a heavy security presence throughout the celebrations.He added that a “strong law enforcement response” would be deployed, also warning that anyone trying to obstruct traffic or enter the Paris ring road illegally could face financial penalties.The violence also reignited controversy over how major football celebrations were managed in the French capital. The mayor of the eighth district in Paris, which includes the Champs-Elysees Avenue, said that banning mass gatherings on the famous street is the only practical solution after Saturday’s events.The city municipality said in a statement:“The Champs-Élysées and its surroundings ceased to be a place of celebration and became an arena for urban guerrilla warfare.”She added: “Since it has become impossible to celebrate a match without descending into riots, the only logical response is a new principle: zero gatherings.”Nunez rejected the proposal, arguing that implementing such a measure would consume a significant portion of available security resources. Nearly 6,000 police officers and gendarmes were assigned to supervise Sunday’s events as authorities try to ensure Paris Saint-Germain’s celebrations continue without more serious incidents.