Two fans have tragically lost their lives, and hundreds have been arrested across France following the celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) historic Champions League victory. The French interior ministry reports that a 17-year-old boy died from a stabbing incident in Dax, while a 23-year-old man was killed in central Paris after being struck by a vehicle.
Amid the wild revelry that erupted after PSG secured a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan — marking the club's first Champions League title ever — flares and fireworks were launched, public property was vandalized, and numerous vehicles set ablaze. PSG released a statement condemning the violence as contrary to the club's values and non-representative of the vast majority of its supporters.
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the clashes as "unacceptable" and pledged that those responsible would face justice. Despite the unrest, the scheduled victory parade through central Paris proceeded with increased security. Approximately 100,000 fans were allowed to join the celebration, showcasing a more peaceful atmosphere compared to the earlier chaos.
In total, France's interior ministry reported around 192 injuries from the clashes, including 22 police officers and seven firefighters. A police officer was notably injured by a firework during the unrest and was placed in an induced coma for recovery.
Paris police prefect Laurent Nuñez emphasized that they have a zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior amid calls for accountability for the violence. While some shops were reported looted in the vicinity of the Champs-Élysées, the majority of fans dispersed peacefully, singing and dancing in celebration.
The Eiffel Tower glowed with PSG's blue and red colors, symbolizing the widespread support for their team. Macron, despite being a supporter of PSG's rivals, congratulated the team during a ceremony at the Élysée Palace.
While events unfolded in Paris, an unrelated incident in Grenoble saw a car collide with PSG fans, injuring four individuals from the same family, two of whom sustained serious injuries.
This tragic intersection of joy and chaos has left a mark on what should have been a day of triumph for the Parisian football club.
