Two dead, over 550 detained, over 700 fires and more than 260 vehicles set on fire is the toll of the "celebrations" of Paris Saint-Germain's victory in the Champions League. The initial jubilation gave way to riots and clashes with the police in the capital and various parts of France. The events have tarnished the victory and the parade initially planned for Sunday afternoon on the Champs-Élysées.
The surroundings of the Arc de Triomphe, cordoned off by the police, were one of the "battlefields" throughout Saturday night, along with the vicinity of the Parc des Princes, where 40,000 fans watched the game on giant screens and had to be dispersed by riot police with water cannons and tear gas.
In Dax, in the French Basque Country, a 17-year-old teenager died stabbed during a tumult. In Paris, the electric scooter driver died after being run over by a car during street celebrations. Over 20 police officers were injured nationwide (one of them was in an induced coma on Sunday), amid conflicting accusations regarding the aggressiveness with which law enforcement tried to contain the crowd.
Drastic security measures included the prohibition of giant screens outdoors and the "fortification" of the Champs-Élysées. Fans occasionally clashed with police barriers and riot police walls. Unable to find a "natural" space to celebrate the victory, the euphoric crowd moved during the night to places like La Bastille and Place de la République.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau denounced "the presence of barbarians in the streets of Paris" even before the end of the game. Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right and president of the National Rally, criticized the "riffraff" taking advantage of every popular celebration: "Not only do they create a serious security problem, but they tarnish France's image in the world."
"Champions, my brother," wrote President Emmanuel Macron on his X account, who could welcome Luis Enrique and his team to the Élysée in the coming hours. "A glorious day for PSG. Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe tonight."
"PSG, pride of our country, collective joy, unforgettable," wrote Prime Minister François Bayrou, who unsuccessfully called for calm among the population: "Let the celebration be beautiful and let everyone ensure the safety of all. Think of law enforcement."
"What a fantastic game, what a mentality on the field, and what happiness for Paris!" stated Mayor Anne Hidalgo. "Paris is at the top of Europe after this magnificent victory," declared Minister of Culture Rachida Dati.
From afar, Kylian Mbappé, who so often fell short of Europe with his old club, extended his congratulations to former teammates: "The great day has finally arrived. With the victory and the way of a whole club."
President of the Professional Football League, Vincent Labrune, finally celebrated the triumph as "an immense celebration for French football and a reward for the demand, work, and ambition of a club that for over a decade has competed to be among the greatest institutions in European football."