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'Second consecutive death incident': PSG wins Champions League → Riot erupts again... "780 arrested"

Published:

Park Geondo

*This content was translated by AI.

After Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the UEFA Champions League (UCL), scenes in Paris. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
After Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the UEFA Champions League (UCL), scenes in Paris. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

Although Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured the European title and achieved a historic feat, the celebration in Europe turned into chaos rather than a festival. Intense clashes between excited fans and police immediately after the victory resulted in hundreds of casualties and hundreds of arrests, plunging French society into deep shock.

The British media outlet 'BBC' reported on the 1st (Korean time) that "following PSG's victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final via a penalty shootout, large-scale clashes erupted between football fans and police across France, leaving a total of 219 people injured." The report added, "French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez officially announced that eight of the injured are in critical condition and that 57 police officers were also injured during the suppression efforts."

According to local reports, French authorities deployed thousands of police officers urgently to quell the rioters who disrupted bus, train, and rail operations in Paris and the surrounding capital region. As a result of the incident, a total of 780 people were arrested across France, with more than 450 of them detained.

In particular, rioters attempting to block the Paris ring road caused accidents on the roads overnight, leading to the tragic discovery of one person found dead.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) celebrates with the trophy ceremony after winning the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on the 31st (Korean time). Lee Kang-in (bottom right of Coach Enrique) is seen celebrating alongside them. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) celebrates with the trophy ceremony after winning the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on the 31st (Korean time). Lee Kang-in (bottom right of Coach Enrique) is seen celebrating alongside them. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
PSG Champions League victory poster. /Photo=Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) official social networking service (SNS)
PSG Champions League victory poster. /Photo=Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) official social networking service (SNS)

Immediately after the victory, the iconic Champs-Élysées street in Paris was instantly swarmed by massive crowds. According to publicly released videos and photos from the scene, hardcore fans set off fireworks, burned bicycles on the roads, smashed the glass windows of at least one store, and carried out looting, turning the area into a lawless zone.

In response, police launched a strong crackdown, firing tear gas to disperse the crowd in the city center. The Paris National Police Agency alone arrested 480 people, including 277 who were detained, among them 82 minors. The Paris Prosecution Service is currently investigating them on charges of obstructing official duties, property damage, theft, and illegal possession of weapons.

Details of casualties, including deaths, are emerging one after another. While the exact cause of death for a 24-year-old man found near Paris Maillot is still under investigation, some witnesses stated that he was riding a motorcycle when he crashed into a concrete barrier. In another area of Paris, a brawl broke out, leaving a teenage boy in critical condition; it is currently being confirmed whether this incident is directly linked to the football riot.

Paris Saint-Germain players and coaching staff cheer after winning the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on the 31st (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Paris Saint-Germain players and coaching staff cheer after winning the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on the 31st (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

Interior Minister Nunez, ahead of the victory parade starting near the Eiffel Tower on Sunday evening, reinforced public order measures and stated that violent acts would be "dealt with firmly." He emphasized, "France is a great nation that maintains public order well. While freedom of assembly is permitted, excessive deviance will not be tolerated. The vast majority of citizens came out to the streets to celebrate, but there are those who are not even PSG supporters and have not watched the match, yet they come only to cause chaos. Our response will be very firm."

French authorities mobilized approximately 6,000 police officers for the parade held near the Eiffel Tower on Sunday. Fortunately, the official events, including the team and coaching staff circling the Eiffel Tower and receiving a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, proceeded peacefully and joyfully. Afterward, the team moved to their home stadium, Parc des Princes, to continue the festivities.

Last year, when PSG won its first-ever Champions League title, the celebration also turned into a violent incident resulting in deaths. Consequently, criticism has poured into French politics over the riot repeating for the second consecutive year. Deputy Marine Le Pen stated on her personal social networking service (SNS), "Only in France does a football club's victory lead to a riot," adding, "France is the only place where everyone must lock their doors on a night of celebration to avoid violence."

After Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the UEFA Champions League (UCL), scenes in Paris. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
After Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the UEFA Champions League (UCL), scenes in Paris. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

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*This content was translated by AI.

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