2025 Paris Saint-Germain celebration riots
| 2025 Paris Saint-Germain celebration riots | |
|---|---|
| Date | 31 May – 1 June 2025 (1 day) |
| Location | Mainly Paris |
| Caused by | Celebration of PSG winning the 2025 UEFA Champions League final |
| Methods | Riots, civil disobedience, arson, looting[1] |
| Casualties, arrests, and damages | |
| Death | 2 confirmed[2] |
| Injuries | At least 192 |
| Arrested | 500+[3] |
| Property damage | 264 vehicles burned[4] |
On 31 May 2025, riots broke out in Paris, France, during celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) 5–0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final. The riots resulted in two fatalities, over 190 injuries, and more than 500 arrests across France.[5]
Background
Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) UEFA Champions League victory was the club's first ever title in the competition, making them the second French club to win the Champions League after Marseille in 1993. PSG is the most popular club in France, with 22% of the country supporting the team and an estimated global fanbase of 35 million.[6][7] PSG supporters, including the club's ultras, are widely regarded as some of the most devoted in football.[8]
Riots
The riots began in Paris near the Parc des Princes stadium and quickly spread to other areas of the city, including the Champs-Élysées.[9] Groups of PSG supporters vandalized public infrastructure, launched fireworks that caused trash can fires, set vehicles on fire and clashed with police.[10] Police responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
The riots resulted in two deaths: a man in his 20s was hit by a car in Paris and a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in Dax, in southwestern France. Over 190 people were injured, including four seriously, along with minor injuries to nine police and military personnel.[11]
Aftermath
The riots sparked widespread criticism. President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement, “Nothing can justify what has happened in the last few hours, the violent clashes are unacceptable.” He also noted that the rioters didn't represent the majority of PSG's supporters.[12] Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the rioters and called them "barbarians," drawing accusations of racism from left-wing figures.[13]
In response to the unrest, PSG announced plans for a victory parade on the Champs-Élysées. The parade was held the following day with heightened security measures to prevent further incidents.[14]
Some members of the left-wing to far-left La France Insoumise party criticized law enforcement, arguing that police actions had escalated the situation by preventing people from celebrating.[15]
Several French citizens of immigrant background went on social media to denounce violence and looting by other members of immigrant communities.[16]
References
- ^ Schechner, Sam. "Paris Erupts in Celebrations, Riots After PSG Wins Champions League". WSJ.
- ^ "Two dead and hundreds arrested in France after PSG Champions League win". www.bbc.com. 1 June 2025.
- ^ Quadri, Sami (1 June 2025). "Two dead and more than 500 arrested as PSG title celebrations spark riots". The Standard.
- ^ "Two dead and hundreds arrested in France after PSG Champions League win". www.bbc.com. 1 June 2025.
- ^ Schechner, Sam. "Paris Erupts in Celebrations, Riots After PSG Wins Champions League". WSJ. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Forbes, Gonzalo (22 March 2018). "France : Le PSG est le nouveau club préféré des Français". Onze Mondial (in French). Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "The Top 15 Biggest and Most Supported Football Teams in the World". Zeelo | Coach Hire. 16 April 2019. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "12 Best Fans In The World Of Soccer - Players Bio". playersbio.com. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Two dead, 559 arrested in France clashes after PSG Champions League win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Millar, Colin (1 June 2025). "Paris disorder – two dead and hundreds injured across France after PSG's Champions League victory". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Two dead, nearly 500 arrested as Paris celebrates Champions League victory". The Washington Post. 1 June 2025. Archived from the original on 1 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Macron condemns 'unacceptable' violence during PSG football celebrations". The Straits Times. 2 June 2025. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "French interior minister under fire for calling Paris Saint-Germain fans 'barbarians'". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "'Vive le PSG!' Macron congratulates PSG players after jubilant victory parade". France 24. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "French interior minister under fire for calling Paris Saint-Germain fans 'barbarians'". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Abiker, David (5 June 2025). "L'invité de la matinale". Radio Classique (Podcast).
Alors c'est avec beaucoup de fierté actuellement que je prends connaissance des vidéos qui circulent sur Internet. Ces vidéos c'est des personnes comme moi, des personnes issues d'immigration qui ont marre et qui tapent du poing sur la table. Lors de la finale de la Champions League à Paris, certaines personnes se promenant avec des drapeaux sur le dos, des drapeaux tunisiens, marocains, ou algériens, brisent des magasins, brûlent des voitures, frappent des pompiers, des policiers. A toi qui mets la bordèle à Paris, tu nous fais honte, tu nous fais honte.