PSG Champions League celebrations in France spark clashes; 416 detained, 7 police officers injured

Widespread violence erupted across France following Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Champions League triumph, leading to hundreds of arrests and injuries to police officers. The French interior ministry reported that 416 individuals were detained nationwide, including 283 in the capital, Paris, as clashes broke out between law enforcement and football supporters.

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Seven police officers were injured during the unrest and described the violence as 'absolutely unacceptable'.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez condemned the violence as "absolutely unacceptable" after seven police officers sustained injuries during the unrest. Despite the deployment of approximately 22,000 police officers across the country, including 8,000 in Paris, and measures such as closing metro stations and bus routes, large crowds gathered, particularly on the Champs-Elysees, where an estimated 20,000 supporters converged.

The disturbances saw damage to six vehicles and two businesses. A group of supporters also briefly disrupted traffic on the Paris ring road, the peripherique, while setting off flares. Near PSG's Parc des Princes stadium, where fans watched the final on giant screens, clashes also occurred, with police repelling attempts by around 150 people to enter the venue. Projectiles and fireworks were reportedly thrown at officers, who responded with tear gas.

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Only in France does a football club's victory spark riots.

Concerns over potential disturbances were high, with businesses along the Champs-Elysees boarding up windows preemptively. Police confiscated numerous fireworks and flares. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticized the situation, stating, "only in France does a football club's victory spark riots." Nunez defended the security operations, describing them as a "very robust, very solid system."

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There was a 'very robust, very solid system in place' to contain violence.