Saed News: French police arrested 416 individuals involved in unrest following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the country.
According to SAEDNEWS, citing German news agency DPA, the Paris police announced that hundreds of people were arrested after Paris Saint-Germain fans went out of control on the night of the club’s championship match against Arsenal in the Champions League final.
The dramatic and tense final ended with Paris Saint-Germain defeating Arsenal 4–3 on penalties in Budapest.
The French Interior Ministry stated that at least 416 people were arrested across the country, including 235 in Paris.
The unrest began when Arsenal briefly took the lead during the penalty shootout. Around 20,000 people gathered on the famous Champs-Élysées, with some fans setting off fireworks, flares, and pyrotechnics.
A bakery and a restaurant near the Parc des Princes stadium, PSG’s home ground, were also damaged. More than 1,000 people gathered around the stadium, and protesters used bicycles to build barricades.
The Paris ring road (Périphérique) was also temporarily blocked by crowds until police intervened.
To prevent a repeat of deadly unrest seen last year, 22,000 police officers were deployed in the capital.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called the incidents “completely unacceptable” and said seven police officers were injured.
Marine Le Pen, far-right politician and former presidential candidate, said: “Only in France does a football victory turn into riots.”
She added that people were forced to stay at home on the night of the victory to avoid violence.
Last year as well, after PSG’s championship, more than 500 people were arrested and two people were killed.
