At least 219 people sustained injuries and 780 others were arrested after widespread unrest broke out across France following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final.
French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, disclosed that eight people suffered serious injuries during the disturbances, while 57 police officers were among those hurt.
According to him, more than 450 individuals remain in custody as investigations continue into the violence, which disrupted public transportation services in Paris, including rail, train and bus operations.
Authorities also confirmed the death of a 24-year-old man in an accident on the Paris ring road after rioters allegedly attempted to block traffic overnight.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident have yet to be established.
Nuñez revealed that 6,000 police officers had been deployed ahead of a victory parade scheduled around the Eiffel Tower area, stressing that security agencies would take decisive action against any further disorder.
“We are a great country for maintaining public order. We allow freedom of assembly, but not excesses,” he said.
Violence erupted along the Champs-Élysées shortly after PSG secured victory on Saturday evening, with some individuals setting electric bicycles on fire, igniting flares and damaging shopfronts. Police officers responded by deploying tear gas to disperse crowds.
Police authorities in Paris reported that 480 arrests were carried out within the capital, while 277 suspects were placed in custody, including 82 minors.
Alleged offences ranged from attacks on law enforcement personnel to theft, vandalism and unlawful possession of weapons.
The Paris prosecutor’s office noted that the figures remain provisional as investigations are still ongoing.
In a separate incident, a teenager was left in critical condition following a violent altercation elsewhere in the city. Authorities have not yet determined whether the case was directly connected to the football celebrations.
Officials maintained that the overwhelming majority of supporters celebrated peacefully, but said certain individuals who were not genuine football fans took advantage of the occasion to engage in criminal activities.
Far-right politician, Marine Le Pen, condemned the violence, describing it as unusual for football celebrations in France to escalate into riots.
PSG players are expected to participate in a victory parade on Sunday, including a procession through the Champ-de-Mars near the Eiffel Tower and a reception hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
