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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Nadeem Badshah

At least 81 arrested in Paris as fans celebrate PSG’s Champions League victory

French police in action carrying batons
Police clashed with fans in Paris. About 5,400 officers were deployed across the city for the post-match celebrations. Photograph: Christophe Petit-Tesson/EPA

At least 81 people have been arrested after violent clashes in Paris after huge crowds of fans gathered to watch PSG’s victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

The club’s Parc des Princes stadium was transformed into a fan zone for the night to screen the match, which took place in Munich, with about 48,000 attending.

Footage on social media appears to show police armed with batons clashing with people, close to where thousands of fans had congregated.

Several fires were ignited near the stadium in the French capital and fire brigades were dispatched to multiple locations to tackle the blazes.

Local media said the police detained at least 81 people.

France’s interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, wrote on social media: “True PSG fans are getting excited about their team’s magnificent performance. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement.

“I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses. I offer my support to the police prefect and all the police officers who are ensuring everyone’s safety this evening.

“It is unbearable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.”

About 5,400 police were deployed across the city for the post-match celebrations, with officers on the Champs-Élysées using teargas and pepper spray to maintain order.

A police spokesperson said a car was set alight near the Parc des Princes and several dozen arrests had been made by the time the match ended, Reuters reported.

Traffic around the Arc de Triomphe was blocked from midday with the Champs-Élysées boulevard and nearby streets also closed on Saturday evening.

Earlier, in Munich, PSG and Inter Milan supporters threw stones at each other at Fröttmaning station while travelling to the Allianz arena for the final, Bild reported.

They also caused travel disruption by making their way on to train tracks, according to reports.

PSG’s win over Arsenal in the semi-final on 7 May sparked unrest in Paris, with 47 people arrested and three others injured after being hit by a car.

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