Violence Erupts After PSGs Champions League Win in Paris

Paris Saint-Germain Advances to Champions League Final Amid Ongoing Domestic Tensions

Paris Saint-Germain secured a 6-5 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals, advancing to their second consecutive final and third since 2020. However, the victory was marred by widespread violence and clashes with police.

According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, nearly 130 people were arrested overnight in the Paris metropolitan area following PSG’s win. The majority of arrests took place outside the team’s Parc des Princes stadium and on the Champs-Elysees, where groups clashed with police and attempted to block roads. Eleven individuals sustained injuries, including one serious injury caused by a mortar attack.

Nunez condemned the violence, stating that hundreds of individuals were responsible for the clashes. He praised the police prefect and his teams for their efforts in dispersing the crowds and preventing property damage. The minister also announced plans to increase security measures for the May 30 final against Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary.

The incident is not an isolated event, as similar clashes have occurred in Paris and other parts of France in recent years. In previous instances, PSG celebrations have led to widespread arrests, with over 500 individuals detained across France following the team’s win last year. The Paris police department has also dealt with violent scenes during other high-profile events, including Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations win in 2019 and a match between Morocco and Algeria in the Arab Cup in 2021.

The Interior Minister expressed concerns about the lack of consultation between the police and recently elected Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire regarding the creation of a fan zone for the final. Nunez emphasized the need to ensure that security measures are in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

Source: Al Jazeera