Paris: French authorities have arrested 780 individuals following violent riots that erupted across the country in celebration of Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) victory in the 2026 UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal. The unrest, which resulted in injuries to 57 police officers, unfolded after the dramatic win on penalties in Budapest, Hungary.
According to Thai News Agency, French Interior Minister Laurent Nº±ez reported that more than 480 of the arrests occurred in Paris and its surrounding areas. Out of the total arrested, 457 individuals are currently being held for prosecution. The violence also led to injuries of 219 people, including eight serious cases, and resulted in one fatality due to an accident on the Paris ring road as rioters attempted to block traffic.
The Interior Minister explained that while about 20,000 football fans gathered peacefully on the Champs-€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬°lys©es in Paris, groups of hooligans and hardcore fans took advantage of the situation to instigate unrest in 15 cities nationwide. These groups engaged in destructive activities such as setting fires to trash, vehicles, and public rental bicycles, and breaking the windows of shops, bakeries, and restaurants. In Paris, young rioters attempted to storm a police station in the 8th Arrondissement, prompting riot police to use tear gas to disperse the crowds. Around the Parc des Princes stadium, a crowd of 4,000-5,000 people gathered, hurling objects and setting off flares at police officers.
The French Interior Minister condemned the riots, emphasizing that the perpetrators were not true football fans but individuals who sought to create chaos. Despite the unrest, the government assured that the PSG championship parade at the Eiffel Tower would proceed as planned, with stringent security measures involving over 6,000 officers in place.