Paris: Hundreds of people were detained and dozens of police officers injured across France following Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory over Arsenal, as celebrations in several cities turned into unrest. Releasing updated figures, French Interior Minister Laurent Nu±ez said on Sunday that 780 people had been detained nationwide, including some 480 in the Paris metropolitan area. In addition, 57 police officers were injured, with all figures possibly to change again as the assessment of the incidents is ongoing.
According to Ghana News Agency, authorities noted a significant increase in detentions compared to the previous year when PSG secured their first Champions League title. In 2025, two people were killed, nearly 200 were injured, and 559 were detained. Authorities also recorded nearly 700 fires, with many vehicles set alight. Nu±ez addressed a news conference earlier on Sunday, stating, "There were celebratory gatherings accompanied by a series of riots, which was in line with the situation we had anticipated. These riots are absolutely unacceptable."
Incidents were reported in approximately 15 cities across the country. In Paris, the situation was particularly tense around the Champs-‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬°lys©es boulevard, where thousands gathered after the match. Masked individuals clashed with security forces, resulting in projectiles being thrown and tear gas being deployed.
Videos circulating on social media depicted scenes of burning vehicles, barricades being erected, and fireworks aimed at people. Fans had congregated to watch PSG's victory over Arsenal, a 4-3 win on penalties, on a big screen at the team's Parc des Princes home stadium, which French media reported was almost completely full.
About 22,000 police officers were on duty across France, including around 8,000 in the capital. The PSG team was set to return from Budapest later on Sunday, with a grand reception planned in Paris.