Paris: PSG Champions League celebrations erupt into chaos | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Champions League Final
• Fan Violence/Riots
• PSG (Paris Saint-Germain)
• Police Response (Water Cannons, Pepper Spray, Arrests)
• Material Damage (Torched Cars, Damaged Shops)
• Aggressive Policing
• Culture of Violence in Football
• "Mier" (Explosive devices)

Champions League Victory and Initial Celebrations:

• Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the Champions League final against Inter Milan with a score of 5-0.
• The Eiffel Tower was illuminated in PSG's colors to celebrate the victory.
• Fans celebrated the win, expressing joy and excitement.

Violence and Tragic Incidents:

• Celebrations turned violent in Paris and other parts of France.
• A woman was killed after being hit by a car in Paris.
• A 17-year-old was stabbed to death at a victory celebration in southwestern France.
• At least one police officer was left in a coma.

Police Response and Aftermath:

• Over 5,000 police officers were deployed across Paris to control the crowds.
• Police used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowds.
• At least 200 cars were torched, including some near PSG's stadium.
• Almost 600 people were arrested, suspected of causing disorder or possessing fireworks.
• France's interior minister condemned the violence, calling the perpetrators "barbarians."

Eyewitness Account of the Riots:

• Journalist Ann Elizabeth Moute witnessed the riots near the Champs-Élysées.
• She described young people who came prepared with explosive devices ("mier") and weapons of aggression.
• Some rioters were drunk, but not all.
• They burned cars and destroyed shops, leaving the area looking like the aftermath of the "yellow vests" movement.
• Shops had windows broken despite being boarded up with plywood.

Welcome Parade and Atmosphere:

• Daniel Brown, a journalist and editorial coordinator at HEC Paris, reported on the welcome parade.
• The mood at the parade was "electric," with flags, chants, and flares.
• A heavy police presence prevented many fans from getting close to the parade.
• Approximately 100,000 fans were on the Champs-Élysées, with potentially double that number in adjacent streets.
• Despite the violence the previous night, the parade was largely filled with families and youth.

Context of Violence in French Football:

• A "culture of violence" exists in French football, predating the current government.
• The last time PSG celebrated a title outside the stadium was in 2013, which was marked by violence.
• The violence is attributed to a mixture of taunting and aggressive policing.
• Formal measures to curtail violence in football are being revised in light of the recent incidents.
• The interior minister's aggressive language was criticized by some politicians as potentially fueling the situation.

Conclusion:

The Champions League victory for PSG was marred by widespread violence and tragic incidents, resulting in fatalities and significant property damage. While celebrations occurred, the events highlighted a persistent issue of fan violence in French football and raised questions about policing strategies and political rhetoric. The situation remains tense, with ongoing police activity and a need for revised measures to address the underlying causes of the violence.