Paris Saint-Germain finally won the Champions League. But the celebrations didn’t last long.
Hours after PSG’s 5–0 victory over Inter Milan, the streets of Paris—and cities across France—descended into chaos. Two people were killed, more than 190 injured, and nearly 600 arrested, according to the French interior ministry. What started as a night of national pride ended with torched cars, tear gas, looted shops, and heavily armed police pushing crowds off the Champs-Élysées.
It’s a pattern that’s become all too familiar in France: joy turns to confrontation, and the state responds with force.
Two Dead, Nearly 600 Arrested After Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League Win
In the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed. In Paris, a 23-year-old man died after his scooter was struck by a car. Four more people were injured—two seriously—when a car drove into PSG fans in Grenoble. Authorities say that case may not have been intentional.
The violence came despite a massive police deployment of over 5,400 officers across the capital. Yet by Sunday morning, the toll was staggering:
-
559 arrests, including 491 in Paris
-
192 people injured, including 22 police officers and 7 firefighters
-
264 vehicles burned
-
Dozens of businesses damaged or looted
See also: Police Identify Suspect: What We Know About the Man Behind the Liverpool Parade Attack
Police, Protesters, and the Politics of Celebration
Riot police fired tear gas, used water cannons, and set up barricades to block fans from reaching the Arc de Triomphe. In one case, an officer injured by fireworks was placed in an induced coma. Paris police blamed “troublemakers” who they say had no interest in the match and came only to provoke.
Officials, from the Paris police prefect to President Macron himself, were quick to condemn the violence. Macron called it “unacceptable” and promised arrests. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau struck a harsher tone, calling the perpetrators “barbarians” and praising “true PSG supporters” for celebrating peacefully.
But critics argue the narrative is too simple. Celebrations in working-class, immigrant-heavy neighborhoods are frequently met with hyper-militarized policing, and what starts as joy quickly devolves as authorities escalate tension.
@nbcnews At least two fans are dead and a #police officer is in a coma following mass nationwide celebrations for #Paris Saint-Germain’s #ChampionsLeague ♬ original sound – nbcnews
Looting, Fireworks, and the Shifting Blame
Police said 300 people were arrested specifically for possessing fireworks or disturbing the peace. A Foot Locker on the Champs-Élysées was looted, and shops near Place des Ternes were also ransacked. While the majority of PSG fans sang, danced, and waved flags, news coverage quickly shifted focus to scenes of fire and riot gear.
PSG, for its part, condemned the violence but defended its supporters, calling the events “isolated acts” that don’t represent the fanbase.
Still, questions remain. What responsibility does the city bear for crowd control? Why does celebration so often look like occupation? And who gets the benefit of the doubt when chaos breaks out in the street?
See also: Greta Thunberg Sets Sail for Gaza—With Aid, a Boat, and a Warning: “We Can’t Be Silent”
Celebration or Criminalization?
Sunday’s parade continued, with thousands cheering PSG down the Champs-Élysées under heavy surveillance. The Eiffel Tower lit up in blue and red. Macron hosted the team at the Élysée Palace. On the surface, it was a day of national unity.
But behind the triumph is a familiar tension: When joy spills into the streets, who’s allowed to own it? In France, as in many places, the line between celebration and crackdown often has less to do with what happens—and more to do with who’s there when it does.
