COMMENTARY - Football riots: A culture of irresponsibility is rampant in France

Paris, and other French cities, descended into chaos following Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) second consecutive Champions League title win. What should have been a moment of national celebration quickly devolved into scenes of destruction, with cars torched, bus stops smashed, shops looted, and police officers attacked. The post-match "festivities" resulted in the death of a motorcyclist and left a 17-year-old in a coma after a stabbing.

This outbreak of violence, reminiscent of similar scenes after PSG's 2025 victory, raises serious questions about a culture of irresponsibility. A report by the French Senate suggests the perpetrators are often young men from disadvantaged, immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. While economic hardship and personal frustration are often cited as contributing factors, they no longer fully explain the phenomenon. In the age of social media, rioting has become a form of self-performance, generating attention and adrenaline, described by essayist Hakim El Karoui as a "narcissism of violence."

Many of these young individuals readily shift blame, pointing fingers at the "unjust" state, the police, or a supposedly racist society. They often perceive themselves as victims, which makes justifying their own violence easier. The article suggests that families are increasingly failing to set boundaries, with parents either overwhelmed by the task of raising their sons or having lost their influence.

The state's authority also appears to be waning in the eyes of these youths. The French president's acknowledgment of this issue, as mentioned in the article, highlights a national struggle to address the root causes of this destructive behavior. The cycle of violence following sporting events underscores a deeper societal problem that requires more than just increased policing.

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Narcissism of violence