PSG Champions League win leads to police detentions, property damage in Paris

The Story

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in Budapest to win the Champions League title. Following the victory, thousands of fans gathered on the Champs-Elysees, with some setting off flares and fireworks. Police detained a number of people after violence broke out, including vandalism of shops and a brief blockade of the main ring road around Paris. At least one bakery and one restaurant were reported damaged. The celebrations came a year after PSG’s previous Champions League win, which led to more than 500 arrests and two deaths across France. Authorities have offered different figures for the number of detainees, and some details about the scale of the police presence remain unclear.

Key Facts

• Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties to win the Champions League final in Budapest.
• Around 20,000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysees to celebrate.
• Fans set off fireworks and flares during the celebrations.
• The main ring road around Paris (the Peripherique) was briefly blockaded by a crowd before police intervened.
• A bakery and a restaurant were damaged.
• During last year’s PSG Champions League celebrations, more than 500 people were arrested across France.

Conflicting Reports

• Number of detainees: dw.com reports that by 11 p.m. local time police had detained “over 130 people.” abcnews.com reports that by 10 p.m. police said 45 people were taken into custody.

Still Unclear

• Total number of police deployed: dw.com reports 22,000 police were on scene; abcnews.com does not provide a figure for this year (only notes 8,000 were deployed last year). (Single-source claim: dw.com)
• Two deaths last year: dw.com reports two people died during last year’s celebrations; abcnews.com does not mention deaths. (Single-source claim: dw.com)
• Attempt to storm a police station: abcnews.com reports a group tried to storm a police station in the 8th Arrondissement. (Single-source claim: abcnews.com)
• One police officer injured: abcnews.com reports one officer was injured. (Single-source claim: abcnews.com)
• About 1,000 people contained near Parc des Princes and barricades made from bicycles cleared: abcnews.com reports this. (Single-source claim: abcnews.com)
• Source of early disturbances: dw.com states “riots had reportedly begun earlier when Arsenal had taken a lead against PSG on penalties.” (Single-source claim: dw.com)

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the sources.

Key Figures

• Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
• Arsenal
• Paris police (no individual names given)

Sources: dw.com, abcnews.com