Paris police arrested 127 people and reported that 11 people were injured, including one seriously, after violence broke out during celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s qualification for the Champions League final, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Thursday.
PSG supporters flooded the streets of the French capital after the club secured its place in the final by eliminating Bayern Munich in Munich late on Wednesday.
Scenes around PSG's home ground, the Parc des Princes stadium, on the Champs-Élysées and in other parts of Paris were marked by clashes with police, fires and damage to public property.
“I condemn these disturbances, which are unfortunately becoming a regular occurrence on nights when Paris Saint-Germain wins,” Nuñez told broadcaster Europe 1.
“There were 127 people arrested in the greater Paris area, including 107 in Paris itself. Eleven people were injured, including one person seriously hurt by a fireworks mortar. Among police officers, 23 suffered minor injuries.”
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed to French news agency AFP in the early hours of Thursday that it had been informed of around 100 arrests – for offences including participation in a group preparing violent acts, possession of pyrotechnic devices, violence and damage caused by fire.
“A few damaged vehicles have been reported at this stage,” the prosecutor’s office said, adding that the figures were still being consolidated.
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Fire and disorder
PSG drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich and advanced 6-5 on aggregate after a 5-4 first-leg victory, setting up a final against Arsenal in Budapest on 30 May.
Large crowds gathered across the capital after the result and incidents were reported in several parts of the city.
The Paris fire brigade reported 67 rubbish-bin fires around the Champs-Élysées and the Parc des Princes, along with three vehicle fires – one at Place de la Concorde and two near the stadium.
Videos shared on social media showed hooded individuals throwing objects and street furniture at police vehicles.
Police used tear gas at several points to stop crowds reaching restricted areas near the stadium. Access to the Champs-Élysées and Place de l’Étoile had been banned by the Paris police prefecture.
Several groups also attempted to block the Paris ring road but were pushed back by police officers.
“Every time there were attempts to damage or loot shops, they were prevented,” Nuñez said, praising the “great responsiveness” of officers deployed across the capital.
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Fan zone dispute
Warnings of possible further unrest accompanied preparations for the PSG-Arsenal final, with Nuñez promising “the same firmness” from police on the night.
“There will be systematic interventions. We will not tolerate any disorder,” he added.
Nuñez also expressed concern over Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire’s decision to announce plans for a fan zone “unilaterally”.
“In general, we discuss these things a little with the police prefect beforehand. That was not the case,” he said. “We will need to see where this fan zone is going to be organised.”
(with newswires)
