After securing their second Champions League title by defeating Arsenal, the French capital and 14 other cities in the country became the scene of serious disturbances that have resulted in 416 arrests and, sadly, one fatality. The most tragic incident of the day occurred during the early hours.
A young man in his twenties lost his life after crashing his motocross motorcycle into concrete blocks on a Paris ring road exit, amidst the atmosphere of euphoria following the victory. Despite this event and political pressure, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has confirmed that the official celebrations at the Champ de Mars, in front of the Eiffel Tower, and at the Parc des Princes will go ahead as planned for this Sunday.
The success of the team led by Luis Enrique has sparked a political earthquake. While President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the victory on social media stating, "A new star shines in Paris!" and adding: "Congratulations to PSG, making all of Europe dream: France is proud," the opposition has erupted over security management.
From the right, criticisms have been fierce over the burning of trucks and looting of shop windows. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, lamented that "Only in France does a club's victory lead to such disturbances." Similarly, Jordan Bardella denounced that "violence is spreading across the territory, carried out by gangs attacking public property, businesses, and law enforcement."
Meanwhile, Catherine Lécuyer, Mayor of the Eighth District, described the events as "a demonstration of public helplessness, with multiple acts of violence against the police, targeted with mortar fire, car fires, and dozens of looting incidents." Faced with this situation, conservative voices are demanding a change in approach: "The preventive strategy has reached its limits: the concept of 'zero gatherings' must be enforced after sporting events."
Even the leader of the Union of the Right, Eric Ciotti, went further by stating that "These barbarians must be neutralised once and for all." On the other end of the spectrum, from La France Insoumise, MP Clémence Guetté called for avoiding repression: "Allow Parisians and the French to show their pride and joy for one night. No violent crackdowns: the disaster of last year cannot be repeated." It is worth noting that the club's first Champions League victory was even more destructive, with 563 arrests and two fatalities.