By Anietie anii-bassey
French authorities detained hundreds of people overnight after celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain’s historic Champions League triumph descended into violence in Paris and several other cities across the country.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on Sunday that 780 people were detained nationwide following clashes between police and groups of supporters after PSG secured the biggest trophy in European club football. The disturbances left 57 police officers injured, although officials said most suffered only minor wounds.
Despite the unrest, authorities stressed that the vast majority of supporters celebrated peacefully as millions of football fans marked PSG’s long-awaited European success.
Speaking at a press conference, Nuñez said security forces had largely regained control of the situation after a night marked by fires, vandalism, attacks on public property and confrontations with police.
According to officials, the most serious incidents occurred in central Paris, particularly along the famous Champs-Élysées and around Parc des Princes, where thousands of supporters gathered to watch and celebrate the final.
Authorities reported that some groups set fires in the streets, damaged businesses and attempted to disrupt public order. In one of the most alarming incidents, a small group allegedly tried to force its way into a police station in Paris. Officers dispersed those involved before they could enter the building.
Police were also called into action multiple times throughout the night to prevent demonstrators and revelers from blocking traffic on Paris’ busy ring road, a critical transport route that circles the French capital.
Of the 780 people detained nationwide, 480 were arrested in the greater Paris region, highlighting the scale of the disturbances in and around the city.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said 277 individuals had been formally placed in police custody as investigations began into a range of alleged offenses. Among those being held were 82 minors. Authorities said the most common accusations involved assaults on police officers, while other cases included vandalism, theft and public disorder offenses.
The celebrations were also overshadowed by a serious traffic accident. Officials said a driver lost control of a vehicle and crashed into the outdoor terrace of a restaurant, injuring two people. One victim sustained serious injuries and remained in critical condition, according to authorities.
Despite the overnight violence, French officials confirmed that planned victory celebrations for PSG would continue on Sunday. Thousands of supporters were expected to gather near the Eiffel Tower at the Champ de Mars for a major public celebration honoring the team’s achievement.
Security was significantly reinforced for the event, with authorities expecting as many as 100,000 fans to attend. Police warned they would respond swiftly and firmly to any renewed violence or attempts to disrupt public order.
The celebrations were set to continue later in the day when the victorious PSG squad was scheduled to be received by Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
Scenes of jubilation erupted across France immediately after PSG defeated Arsenal on penalties in the Champions League final in Budapest. The victory delivered the first European crown in the club’s history and sparked celebrations that lasted throughout the night.
Thousands of supporters flooded the streets of Paris, waving flags, singing club chants and setting off flares. Car horns echoed through the city as fans celebrated what many described as the greatest moment in PSG’s history.
Around 20,000 supporters gathered on the Champs-Élysées alone, transforming the iconic avenue into a sea of club colors. While many celebrated peacefully, authorities said smaller groups exploited the occasion to engage in criminal activity.
Police reported that several shops were damaged or looted, while fires were set to garbage bins, bicycles from public-sharing systems and parked vehicles. Similar incidents were recorded in approximately 15 cities across France, though officials said the scale of damage outside Paris was generally limited.
According to the Interior Ministry, most affected cities experienced only a handful of vandalized businesses, with authorities moving quickly to contain disturbances before they could spread.
The violence recalled scenes from previous PSG celebrations. Following the club’s earlier major triumph last year, hundreds of people were injured and more than 500 arrests were made nationwide as celebrations in Paris and other cities spiraled into disorder.
While French authorities praised the majority of supporters for celebrating responsibly, officials vowed to pursue those responsible for the violence and property damage. Investigations into the overnight disturbances remain ongoing as France continues to celebrate one of the most significant achievements in the history of French football.