PARIS (AP) — Nearly 130 people were arrested around Paris overnight as fans clashed with police following Paris Saint-Germain reaching the Champions League final, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Thursday.
He told Europe 1 radio that the total number of arrests was 127 in the Paris metropolitan area, including 107 in Paris, after titleholder PSG eliminated Bayern Munich to reach a second straight final and third since 2020.
There were 11 injuries among the rioters, including one serious injury caused to someone using a mortar, and 23 police officers sustained light injuries. Clashes took place outside PSG's Parc des Princes stadium and on the Champs-Élysées.
"I condemn this strongly," Nuñez said. "There are always hundreds of individuals responsible for these excesses during these festivities who look to clash with law enforcement."
Nuñez said security would be increased for the May 30 final against Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary. He also criticizing Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire for announcing a fan zone in Paris without consulting police beforehand.
History of Violence
Riots have been commonplace in Paris and elsewhere in France in recent years. When PSG won the Champions League last year, police made more than 500 arrests across France. A man in his 20s was killed in Paris when his scooter was hit by a car during PSG celebrations.
The trouble continued the next day. Paris police arrested 148 people after fans clashed with officers and smashed cars and store windows after the club lost the 2020 final to Bayern.
When PSG won the French title in 2013 — ending a wait of 19 years — celebrations were cut short following violent scenes in which fans fought with riot police for several hours, leaving 30 people injured.
There were also incidents on the Champs-Élysées following Algeria's Africa Cup of Nations win in 2019, and in 2021 following a match between Morocco and Algeria in the Arab Cup.
Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press