PARIS — Law enforcement officials in the French capital arrested 45 individuals following violent incidents that broke out during Saturday night’s celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League championship victory.
Supporters started festivities throughout Paris following PSG’s penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary, which secured the team’s second Champions League championship.
Thousands of supporters paraded through streets surrounding the Arc de Triomphe, lighting flares and honking vehicle horns. Approximately 20,000 people assembled on the Champs-Elysees as law enforcement worked to manage the crowds.
According to the Paris police prefecture, smaller groups created chaos across multiple areas of the city, damaging storefronts and igniting fires. One law enforcement officer sustained injuries. Authorities dispersed individuals who tried to breach a police facility in the upscale 8th Arrondissement area.
Officials reported that 45 individuals were placed under arrest by 10 p.m.
Crowds temporarily blocked the major highway that circles Paris before officers broke up the gathering. Authorities also reported damage to one bakery and a restaurant.
Law enforcement also managed approximately 1,000 people who had assembled near the PSG stadium in the 16th Arrondissement and removed barricades constructed from bicycles.
During PSG’s first championship celebration last May, authorities made over 500 arrests throughout France, prompting Paris officials to deploy 8,000 police officers citywide.
