What should have been a night of joy and celebration in France turned tragic as the aftermath of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory over Inter Milan descended into violence and chaos.
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Two individuals tragically lost their lives during the unrest. A 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the chest, while a 20-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle carrying jubilant supporters.
The French Ministry of the Interior reported that 426 arrests were made nationwide, with 417 in Paris alone. Of these, 216 were held in police custody, including 207 in the capital. The violence left 192 people injured, including 13 police officers.
Celebrations turned tense even before the final whistle. With PSG leading 2–0 at half-time — courtesy of goals from Achraf Hakimi and Desire Doue — law enforcement deployed water cannons at the Champs-Élysées to disperse unruly crowds after barriers were breached.
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Authorities stated that a large crowd not watching the match pushed towards the police, prompting the deployment to “protect the Place de l’Étoile.” While some areas were cleared peacefully by the early hours, others were scenes of full-blown riots.
148 fires were reported, 46 vehicles set ablaze, and numerous shops were looted. Tear gas and batons were used by police in their efforts to control the chaos, as missiles and other projectiles were launched at them by rioters.
The events have sparked national concern and renewed debate about public safety during high-stakes sporting events in France.
