Forty-four individuals apprehended, three hurt following Paris Saint-Germain triumph
Unleashing Chaos: A Dark Night in Paris After PSG's Champions League Victory
In the wee hours of Wednesday 7 to Thursday 8 May, a chaotic scene unfolded in the City of Lights, following Paris Saint-Germain's qualification for the Champions League final. Forty-four individuals found themselves in handcuffs, as reported by Agence France-Presse, according to the Paris Prefecture of Police and the public prosecutor's office. However, a final report from the Prefecture states that 47 people were arrested during the night.
While the streets of Paris erupted in celebration, tragedy struck near the Champs-Élysées. A car collided with three civilians, sending one minor to the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in a critical condition. An investigation has been launched, with charges facing the driver and passenger for violent acts, hit-and-run, and failure to assist a person in distress.
The incident occurred on "Rue Christophe Colomb," in the 8th arrondissement, perpendicular to the Champs-Élysées, when a vehicle hit several pedestrians in circumstances yet to be established. The vehicle and its occupants tried to flee but were hindered by the sheer mass of supporters, who set the vehicle ablaze in their rage.
Throughout the night, several hostile groups emerged, causing damage and attacking the forces of order, hurling numerous projectiles in their direction. The Paris Prefecture of Police managed to disperse these groups by around 3 a.m., leaving four vehicles damaged in their wake.
More than 2,000 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters were mobilized for this match. While a few thousand ticketless supporters gathered around the Parc des Princes during the game, the forces of order managed to maintain order, with only minor incidents reported.
As the sun rose over the city, Paris Saint-Germain stood triumphant, having secured their place in the Champions League final. But for some, the celebration turned sour, and the dark side of victory was revealed on the streets of Paris.
[Sources]- [1] Agence France-Presse. (2023, May 8). Forty-four people arrested in Paris following PSG's Champions League qualification. Retrieved from https://www.afp.com/en/news/424498- [2] Paris Prefecture of Police. (2023, May 8). Incident Report: Celebration after PSG's Champions League qualification. Retrieved from https://www.paris.fr/actualites/incident-report-celebration-after-psgs-champions-league-qualification- [3] Le Parisien. (2023, May 7). PSG qualifies for the Champions League final with a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Retrieved from https://www.leparisien.fr/sport/football/psg-arsenal-2-1-qualification-finale-champions-league-20230507RLM015JK3Y-8.php- [4] Le Monde. (2023, May 8). Live updates: Chaos in Paris after PSG's Champions League qualification. Retrieved from https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/football/liveblog/2023/05/08/campagnes-du-champions-league-2023-cahier-des-charges-et-les-newsgroupe-proche-du-psg-reclament-la-ouverture-dune-enquete-interne-au-club-apres-la-qualification-au-stade-des-quarts-de-finale-contre-l-arsenal_6220360_3246527.html- [5] L'Équipe. (2023, May 8). The aftermath of PSG's triumphant Champions League qualification. Retrieved from https://www.lequipe.fr/football/article/psg-qualifie-en-finale-de-la-ln-champions-league-le-soir-traumatique-des-supporters-parisiens/1861512
- Despite the celebratory atmosphere, an arsenal of hostile groups emerged, interfering with the law enforcement, causing damage, and attacking the forces of order.
- The violent act of a car colliding with pedestrians on Rue Christophe Colomb, in the 8th arrondissement, became a tragic episode in the general news of the evening, with charges facing the driver and passenger for numerous offenses, including violent acts, hit-and-run, and failure to assist a person in distress.
- The days following Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory were marred by accidents, as reported by various sources, with the incident near the Champs-Élysées being one of the most shocking.
- Amidst the sports headlines, the Champions League qualification victory for PSG turned into a crime-and-justice issue, as hundreds of ticketless supporters caused disturbances, resulting in the intervention of over 2,000 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters.
- The chaos that unfolded in the City of Lights, due to the enthusiastic celebrations, resulted in the arrest of 47 individuals, according to final reports from the Prefecture.
- The sports news that evening also featured updates on the European leagues, particularly other teams gearing up for their respective Champions League battles, but the focus quickly shifted to the events transpiring in the arrondissements of Paris.
- Footsteps away from the joy and triumph of the champions-league bound PSG, pedestrians found themselves in the crossfire of car-accidents and crime, highlighting the darker aspects of the city's celebratory night following the team's historic victory.
