Football chaos after Champions League win: one dead, eight critically injured

The Paris Saint-Germain secured the Champions League title Saturday night after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Arsenal (1-1 a.e.t., 4-3 on penalties). However, the euphoria quickly turned to chaos as violent clashes erupted across Paris and other French cities.

Inside the packed Parc des Princes, where the match was displayed on giant screens, fireworks lit up the pitch as 48,000 supporters chanted victory slogans like « Champions of Europe », « This is Paris », and « Luis Enrique ». Yet outside the stadium, the scene was far from peaceful.

Joy turns to bloodshed

A massive security operation deployed 22,000 police and gendarmerie officers, including 8,000 in Paris alone. Despite these efforts, the night left 219 injured, eight in critical condition. The Interior Ministry confirmed that 57 law enforcement officers were also hurt, one severely in Agen.

Tragedy struck just after 1:10 AM near Porte Maillot, where a motorcyclist crashed into concrete barriers placed on the highway exit ramp. The barriers, clearly marked, had been installed to control the crowd. The 24-year-old rider was pronounced dead at 2:20 AM, and investigators are examining the circumstances of the collision.

In Paris’ 16th arrondissement around 4:00 AM, a stabbing incident left a 17-year-old in critical condition. The victim, bleeding profusely from facial wounds, was rushed to a Parisian hospital in a coma. His attackers fled the scene.

Nationwide, authorities reported 780 arrests, with significant disturbances also recorded in Grenoble, Dijon, and Besançon.

100,000 fans expected at Champ de Mars

Near the Parc des Princes, 150 individuals attempted to force their way into the stadium before being repelled by police, according to authorities.

While the Eiffel Tower illuminated the Parisian sky Saturday night to celebrate the victory, nearly 100,000 fans are expected to gather at the Champ de Mars Sunday afternoon to honor the players and staff. The team will later visit the Élysée Palace and return to Parc des Princes in the evening.