Paris Saint-Germain’s historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final sparked massive celebrations across France, but the jubilation was marred by tragedy and unrest. According to the French Interior Ministry, two people lost their lives and 559 individuals were arrested during the post-match festivities.
A 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax while celebrating PSG’s win, and a woman riding a scooter died after being struck by a car in the southwestern part of Paris. The ministry reported that 491 of the arrests took place in Paris itself, where tens of thousands had gathered at hotspots such as the Champs-Élysées and Parc des Princes, the latter hosting around 48,000 fans watching the match on giant screens.
Despite an initially festive atmosphere, clashes erupted between fans and police in several locations, prompting a heavy security response involving tear gas, water cannons, and non-lethal ammunition. Authorities struggled to regain control as fireworks were set off, vehicles vandalized, and some cars set ablaze. At least 192 people were injured in the chaos, though details on injury severity remain limited.
PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé urged fans to maintain calm after the final, acknowledging the passion but warning against violence. The celebrations marked PSG’s first-ever European club football title, igniting both joy and disorder across the city and beyond.
