PSG's Victory Amidst Chaos: A Night of Riots in the City of Love
Following the disturbances at night: Tranquil PSG celebration in Paris city centre - Unrest Erupts in Paris Last Night, Marking a Chaotic Night Scaled on City Streets
Celebrations for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and their historic Champions League win over Inter Milan lingered in the City of Love, despite the unfortunate events of the previous night.
The victorious squad, who delivered a stunning 5:0 upset in Munich, touched down in Paris on a Sunday afternoon, aiming to parade through the grand Champs-Élysées for a grand welcome from an estimated 100,000 fans.
Unveiling the Trophy
Subsequently, a reception at the Élysée Palace with President Emmanuel Macron was planned. The players desired to share their triumph with their adoring fans within their stadium, the Parc des Princes, where they intended to display their hard-earned trophy. Owing to anticipated high security risks, stern measures were put in place for this momentous occasion, as stated by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
The spirited scenes in France were marred by two fatalities and widespread chaos. A 17-year-old lost his life during celebratory events in the town of Dax, southwestern France, after being stabbed. In Paris, a young man met his end in a fateful encounter with a car while riding a motorbike. Across the nation, 559 individuals were detained following clashes between police and rowdy soccer supporters on the Champs-Élysées, according to the Interior Ministry.
The Chaos Unfolds
The fan-driven unrest was attributed to a combustible mix of exuberance, tension, and − in some cases − involvement from instigators unrelated to the match. Authorities reported that police faced numerous challenges in keeping the crowd under control, resorting to deploying tear gas and water cannons to quell the celebratory turmoil.
Wake of Havoc
The aftermath of the riots saw two lives claimed and 192 injured, while over 200 vehicles were torched and multiple fires set throughout the city. The police force reported a staggering total of 692 fires across Paris alone. The police force suffered too, with 18 officers injured in Paris and three elsewhere in France. One officer was critically injured due to severe eye trauma from fireworks, requiring admission to an induced coma.
The French government responded decisively, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemning the riots and distinguishing between genuine fans and troublemakers. Strict measures were taken to ensure safety during subsequent celebrations.
As the dust settles over the City of Love, the government and law enforcement agencies are reflecting on the challenges posed by managing large-scale celebrations and the necessity of effective crowd control measures to prevent such events from escalating in the future.
- Champions League
- Paris
- Champs-Élysées
- Riots
- Inter Milan
The historic Champions League win of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) over Inter Milan on the Champs-Élysées, Paris, was meant to be a grand celebration for the victory, but the joy was marred by riots that erupted in the city. Despite the planned parade and reception at the Élysée Palace, the spirited scenes in France ended in chaos, resulting in two deaths, numerous injuries, and damages to over 200 vehicles. The win, achieved in Munich against Inter Milan, was the Champions League title that PSG was championing.
