Chaos Mars PSG’s Historic Champions League Win With Deaths, Injuries, and Mass Arrests in France
What was supposed to be a night of jubilation turned tragic in France as two people died and hundreds were arrested following Paris Saint-Germain’s historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.
The French Interior Ministry confirmed that 559 people were arrested across the country, with 491 of those in Paris alone. Celebrations descended into chaos particularly on the Champs-Elysees avenue, where fans clashed with police forces, who responded with water cannons to disperse the crowds attempting to reach the Arc de Triomphe.
A motorcyclist was fatally struck by a car in Paris’ 15th arrondissement, just kilometers from the Champs-Elysees. In Dax, southwest France, a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed during a street celebration. Authorities are investigating both incidents, though it remains unclear if the stabbing was directly related to the Champions League festivities.
Elsewhere, in Grenoble, a vehicle rammed into a crowd of fans, injuring four members of the same family—two of them seriously. While the driver turned himself in and tested negative for drugs and alcohol, investigations are ongoing, with early reports indicating it was not intentional.
Despite the violence, the vast majority of PSG fans celebrated peacefully, including tens of thousands at Parc des Princes where the match was streamed live on giant screens. PSG’s win marks their first Champions League title in club history, sparking emotional celebrations among fans across France.
“This is a historic win,” said one jubilant supporter in Paris. “We finally did it without a team full of stars—just 11 warriors fighting for each other.”
President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo both hailed the victory as a monumental moment in French football. Macron is set to host the team at the Élysée Palace on Sunday for an official celebration.
While the football triumph has been lauded, the unrest raises critical questions about public safety and crowd control during major national events. As PSG prepares for a victory parade on the Champs-Elysees, security will be under heavy scrutiny to avoid another night of turmoil.
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Chaos Mars PSG’s Historic Champions League Win With Deaths, Injuries, and Mass Arrests in France