Paris is still buzzing after Paris Saint-Germain punched their ticket to yet another Champions League final, but the celebrations took a turn overnight as nearly 130 fans were arrested in clashes with police. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed on Thursday that 127 arrests were made across the Paris metropolitan area—107 of them within the city itself—after PSG knocked out Bayern Munich to secure a second straight final appearance and their third since 2020.
The scenes were electric but chaotic. Outside the iconic Parc des Princes stadium and along the glittering Champs-Élysées, supporters let their emotions spill over. Police moved in to break up crowds and prevent rioters from blocking the Paris ring road, resulting in 11 injuries among the demonstrators—including one serious case involving a mortar—and 23 officers with minor injuries. "I strongly condemn this," Nuñez said. "There are always hundreds of individuals looking to clash with law enforcement during these festivities. I thank the police for their systematic and disciplined response."
He also praised officers for protecting property and preventing looting, a welcome relief for local businesses. The focus now shifts to the final on May 30 in Budapest, Hungary, where PSG will face Arsenal. Security will be ramped up for the occasion, Nuñez promised, though he voiced concerns over Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire's recent announcement of a fan zone for the final—apparently made without consulting police first. "We need to see where this fan zone will be organized," Nuñez added.
Unfortunately, this isn't new territory for Paris. When PSG won the Champions League last year, over 500 arrests were made nationwide, and a man in his 20s lost his life when his scooter was hit by a car during celebrations. After the club's 2020 final loss to Bayern, police arrested 148 people as fans clashed with officers and damaged cars and storefronts. As the city gears up for another title shot, the passion is undeniable—but so is the need for safe, controlled celebrations.