Following Paris Saint-Germain's dramatic victory in the Champions League final, police in France have arrested over 280 individuals in Paris amid violent clashes that erupted as fans celebrated. The match, which took place on Saturday, saw approximately 22,000 police officers deployed across the country, with 8,000 stationed in Paris to prevent disturbances similar to those that occurred during PSG's previous Champions League win.

Nationwide Arrests and Damage

According to the French Ministry of the Interior, a total of 416 people were detained across the nation, with 283 arrests made in Paris alone. The exact number of individuals who will face further investigation remains unclear. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez condemned the violence, labeling it “absolutely unacceptable,” and reported that seven police officers sustained injuries during the unrest. The disturbances resulted in damage to six vehicles and two businesses.

Celebrations Turn Chaotic

As fans gathered to celebrate PSG's victory in Budapest, around 20,000 supporters flocked to the Champs-Elysees in Paris. In anticipation of potential unrest, shops had boarded up their windows prior to the match, recalling last year's incidents where shops were vandalized. On Saturday, police seized two dozen flares and approximately 100 fireworks, while a bus shelter was destroyed near the Champs-Elysees. Clashes also occurred near PSG's Parc des Princes stadium, where a group of about 150 attempted to breach one of the gates but were repelled by police.

The chaotic scene included supporters throwing projectiles at officers, prompting police to respond with tear gas. Additionally, some fans attempted to block streets using rental bikes, which were subsequently cleared by law enforcement. The events unfolded against a backdrop of other major happenings in Paris, including performances by singer Aya Nakamura and rapper Damso, as well as the ongoing French Open tennis tournament.