Two people died and hundreds were arrested in France as celebrations for PSG’s historic Champions League final victory over Inter Milan turned violent, with clashes reported in Paris and other cities
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]wo people have died and hundreds were arrested across France overnight as football fans celebrated Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) stunning UEFA Champions League final victory, the Ministry of the Interior confirmed.
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While euphoria gripped the capital and beyond, marked by car horns, cheering, singing, and fireworks following PSG’s emphatic 5-0 triumph over Inter Milan in Munich, pockets of severe disorder marred the historic win.
The epicentre of the celebrations, particularly in Paris, descended into clashes between jubilant crowds and law enforcement.
The Interior Ministry stated on Sunday, June 1, 2025, that 491 people were arrested in the capital after crowds converged on the Champs-Élysées avenue, leading to confrontations with police. Across France, a total of 559 arrests were made.
Tragically, authorities reported two fatalities amid the celebrations. A man riding a scooter in Paris died after being hit by a car in the city’s southern 15th arrondissement, approximately 2km (1.2 miles) from the Champs-Élysées.
In the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed at a gathering celebrating the PSG victory.
Prosecutors confirmed his death occurred shortly after the match and “during the celebrations,” though they noted it was not yet definitively linked to the Champions League final, adding that the perpetrator was “on the run.”
The Ministry of the Interior said on Sunday that 491 people were arrested in the capital after crowds converged on the Champs-Élysées avenue and clashes broke out with officers.
Overnight, AFP journalists observed police on the famed thoroughfare using water cannon to disperse a crowd attempting to reach the Arc de Triomphe.
Police issued a statement, explaining: “Troublemakers on the Champs-Élysées were looking to create incidents and repeatedly came into contact with police by throwing large fireworks and other objects.”
Elsewhere, police in Grenoble, southeastern France, reported that a car careered into fans celebrating PSG’s win, injuring four people, two of them seriously. All those hurt were from the same family.
The driver subsequently handed himself in and was arrested; a source close to the investigation indicated that the incident was not believed to be intentional, and the public prosecutor’s office confirmed the driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
Despite the widespread peaceful jubilation, scuffles also broke out near PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, where 48,000 fans had watched the 5-0 victory on giant screens.
Most arrests in the capital were linked to suspected illegal possession of fireworks and causing public disorder.
This victory marks the first time in PSG’s history that the club has won European club football’s most prestigious prize. PSG supporter Clement, 20, expressed the overwhelming joy: “It’s so good and so deserved! We have a song that talks about our struggles, and it hasn’t always been easy. But we got our faith back this year with a team without stars. They’re 11 guys who play for each other.”
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office announced he would host the victorious players on Sunday to congratulate them.
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In a message on X, Macron hailed it as a “day of glory for PSG.” A total of 11.5 million people across France tuned in to watch the match, according to Mediametrie and Canal+.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
