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Paris, June 3, 2025 – Celebrations marking Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) historic first-ever Champions League triumph turned violent across France, resulting in at least two fatalities and 192 injuries, according to the French Interior Ministry. The unrest, which saw widespread clashes between PSG supporters and law enforcement, led to the arrest of 559 individuals, with 491 detentions in Paris alone.
The chaos unfolded on Saturday night after PSG defeated Italian club Inter Milan to claim the coveted European title. Jubilant scenes in Paris and surrounding areas quickly escalated into violent confrontations, particularly along the iconic Champs-Élysées. According to a BBC report, rioters vandalized bus stops and hurled objects at riot police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons to control the situation.
The Interior Ministry reported that 320 of those arrested were taken into police custody, with 254 being Paris residents. Nationwide, hundreds of arson incidents were recorded, including the destruction of over 200 vehicles. The violence also left 22 security personnel and seven firefighters injured.
Despite heightened security measures, including the deployment of over 5,000 police officers along the Champs-Élysées and stringent monitoring at PSG’s home stadium, Parc des Princes, where 49,000 fans gathered to watch the match, authorities struggled to contain the unrest. The celebrations, initially filled with pride over PSG’s victory, transformed parts of France into what many described as a “battlefield.
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