Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a remarkable victory in the Champions League final, defeating Inter Milan 5-0 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. This triumph breaks a record for the largest margin of victory ever in a Champions League final. It launches PSG into the pantheon of football history. The game Saturday sparked jubilant celebrations here in France, where the national team’s stunning success led to victory parades.
After PSG’s victory, French President Emmanuel Macron declared an honor to be given to the players. They’ll all be honored at the Elysee Palace on Sunday. The jubilation was quickly marred by an eruption of violence and chaos in the streets of many cities throughout France.
Tragically, during the celebrations two people were killed. A 17-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed during violence at a street party in Dax. At the same time, in Paris, another man was killed when his scooter hit a car during the victory celebrations. The interior ministry recorded more than 190 injuries and extensive damage to public and private property, including 692 fires, with 264 of these incidents targeting cars.
Given the level of unrest, a significant police response was needed, with around 5,400 officers deployed across Paris. Overall, almost 560 individuals were taken into custody nationwide, with just under 491 of those arrests in the French capital, Paris. Among those arrested were 131 people responsible for ransacking a shoe store on the Champs-Elysees.
The event quickly turned toxic as police began to clash with violent mobs. Police were forced to fire off rounds of tear gas and pepper spray in order to clear crowds from protestors who had occupied the historic roadway. Furthermore, one police officer lost his eye after being hit by fireworks and is in a coma still.
Ousmane Dembele, a PSG player, addressed the chaos surrounding the celebrations, stating, “Let’s celebrate this but not tear everything up in Paris.” His comments showed that while it is important to celebrate the team’s historic achievement, celebrations must be done responsibly.
Though violence marred scenes before the match, many supporters cheered the new PSG champion. Desire Doue, a passionate supporter, shared her excitement: “I don’t have words. What I can say is, ‘Thank you, Paris, we did it.’”
In a statement celebrating the team’s achievement, President Macron remarked, “A glorious day for PSG! Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe this evening.”
PSG’s triumph will be remembered for its historic significance. Yet that violence soon overshadowed the celebrations, as the sobering reality of a historic event like this set in.
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