Paris, June 1 – A night meant for celebration quickly descended into turmoil in the heart of Paris, as Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) landmark Champions League victory over Inter Milan was marred by widespread unrest, numerous arrests, and the tragic loss of lives.
Following PSG’s emphatic 5-0 victory in Munich—marking the club’s first-ever Champions League title—thousands of fans flooded the streets of Paris and major cities across France. The win, hailed as a monumental achievement for the club, unleashed a wave of celebration filled with flares, fireworks, and flag-waving crowds. However, the festivities spiraled out of control in multiple areas, resulting in widespread unrest.
According to France’s interior ministry, 559 individuals were arrested, with 491 of those arrests taking place in Paris alone. Out of those apprehended, 320 individuals were held in police custody, with 254 of them in Paris. Authorities also reported two fatalities during the night’s events, although the circumstances surrounding the deaths were not immediately disclosed. Additionally, 192 people were injured, among them 22 members of the security forces and seven firefighters.
The Champs-Élysées, the epicenter of celebrations, quickly turned into a battleground. Riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds after groups of fans began smashing bus shelters and launching projectiles. Some attempted to breach security barriers near the Arc de Triomphe, prompting a water cannon to be deployed to protect the Place de l’Étoile.
At the Place de la Bastille, ecstatic supporters scaled the base of the famous column, lighting flares and breaking into song. Motorbikes roared through the square as groups danced in celebration. Unlike the unrest seen on the Champs-Élysées, the Bastille area remained largely peaceful, at least in the earlier hours of the night.
The violence wasn’t confined to central Paris. Fires broke out across the city, with over 690 fires reported, including 264 involving vehicles. Emergency responders worked through the night to extinguish the blazes and treat injuries.
Security forces had anticipated potential violence in the wake of the final and had deployed 5,400 officers to key areas, including the Champs-Élysées, the Parc des Princes, and various suburbs. Despite their efforts, law enforcement struggled to contain outbreaks of disorder that began even before the final whistle.
Tensions had flared earlier in the evening, including a clash between fans and police outside the Parc des Princes during the first half of the match. Supporters igniting flares outside the stadium were met with tear gas in a bid to break up the gathering.
Within the Parc des Princes itself, 49,000 fans watched the game broadcast on a giant screen. Joy erupted at the final whistle, with many in the crowd cheering, singing, and waving PSG flags in a moment of euphoria. PSG’s signature blue and red colors illuminated the Eiffel Tower as car horns blared throughout the streets of Paris.
At around 11:30 p.m., authorities braced for a surge of fans arriving at the Champs-Élysées, and by 3 a.m., riot police were still working to disperse unruly crowds. The situation bore striking similarities to past incidents where sports celebrations turned violent in the capital.
PSG’s forward Ousmane Dembélé, speaking after the match, urged fans to celebrate responsibly. “Let’s celebrate but without breaking everything in Paris,” he appealed in a television interview.
Teen sensation Désiré Doué, only 19 years old and one of the heroes of the final with two goals and an assist, expressed his emotions after the victory. “I don’t have the words,” he said, “but what I can say is ‘Thank you, Paris.’ We did it.”
Despite the on-field triumph, the off-field incidents highlighted the ongoing challenge French authorities face when it comes to managing large public celebrations tied to football. This is far from the first time such celebrations have ended in violence.
Only a few weeks earlier, PSG’s victory against Arsenal in the semi-finals sparked confrontations and led to more than 40 arrests. A vehicle rammed into fans during the chaos and was later set ablaze. In previous years, similar disorder occurred after major football events, including the 2013 French title celebrations, Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations win in 2019, and World Cup qualifiers involving France and Morocco in 2022.
Saturday night’s events are now being closely reviewed by officials. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin is expected to hold meetings with law enforcement leadership to assess security planning and determine next steps to avoid future unrest.
For PSG and its supporters, this was supposed to be a night of pure celebration—marking a long-awaited victory on Europe’s biggest football stage. But the aftermath has been marred by destruction, injury, and loss. As Paris begins to clean up, the city must also reflect on how triumph turned to tragedy in just a matter of hours.