PSG vs Arsenal: Hundreds arrested across France after Paris Saint-Germain win Champions League final | Football news
Hundreds of people were arrested across France after Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal.
The French Interior Ministry said 416 people have been arrested across France, and 283 in the Paris area, according to the report. BFMTV, Sky News’ My French colleague.
About 20,000 people were on the Champs-Elysees at one time during Saturday night’s celebrations, according to figures from Paris police headquarters cited by the broadcaster.
Huge crowds gathered on the streets near the Arc de Triomphe, blowing off flares and honking car horns.
PSG asked fans to celebrate with “pride, responsibility and respect”.
22,000 police were mobilized ahead of the final in France, including 8,000 in the Paris metropolitan area.
Laurent Nunez, France’s interior minister, said “disruption was expected and expected”.
In an initial assessment of overnight violence, Nunez said 416 people had been arrested, including 283 in the Paris police district. Seven police officers were also injured in France, “one of them seriously,” he added.
Fans tried to storm the police station during the chaos
The Paris police district said that small groups are causing problems in different areas. This included vandalizing shops and starting fires, including setting cars on fire, injuring one police officer.
The group also attempted to storm a police station in the upscale 8th Arrondissement, but were dispersed, police said.
By 10pm local time, 45 people had been arrested and large crowds gathered at other locations, including the Eiffel Tower.
The main road around Paris was briefly blocked by the crowd before the police dispersed them.
A bakery and restaurant were also damaged.
Police contained around 1,000 people near the PSG stadium in the 16th Arrondissement and removed temporary barriers erected by bicycles.
This is not the first time that PSG fans have caused trouble after the team’s victory.
In May last year, following PSG’s first Champions League title success, 201 people were injured in the French capital and police arrested more than 500 people across France.
Macron welcomes PSG players
PSG will celebrate their Champions League victory on Sunday after winning the Ligue 1 title again.
They will host a public celebration on the Champ de Mars, in front of the Eiffel Tower, starting at 2pm local time.
PSG said: “The players will cross the Champ de Mars on a 450m long stage and present the Champions League trophy to their fans. Between 85,000 and 90,000 people will be able to take part in this unique celebration in the heart of the capital. The gates will open at 2pm.”
After that, the players will be welcomed by the French President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace.
The celebrations will continue at the PSG stadium, Parc des Princes, where fans and players will gather from 7.30pm local time.
