Cars were burned amid the disorder
Reuters
The Eiffel Tower was illuminated in PSG’s red and blue, while French President Emmanuel Macron — a noted Olympique de Marseille fan — set aside club loyalties to congratulate the team. He wrote on X: “A glorious day for PSG! Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe this evening.”
Approximately 5,400 police officers were deployed across the capital in anticipation of trouble. Paris police said most of the nearly 300 arrested were suspected of carrying fireworks or committing public order offences.
“Troublemakers on the Champs-Elysées were looking to create incidents and repeatedly came into contact with police by throwing large fireworks and other objects,” a police statement said.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence, writing: “True PSG supporters are enjoying their team’s magnificent match. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke the police.”
Violence was also reported outside the capital. In Grenoble, southeastern France, a car ploughed into a group of PSG fans, injuring four people from the same family — two seriously. Police said the driver had handed himself in and was arrested, but added that the incident was not believed to have been intentional.
Despite the unrest, many fans celebrated peacefully, with scenes of singing, dancing and honking horns across the capital.
Tens of thousands more are expected to line the streets on Sunday for a victory parade down the Champs-Elysées. Macron will also host the players at the Élysée Palace to congratulate them on their historic win.