Nearly 800 people were arrested across France after Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal to win the Champions League, with 219 injured including 57 police officers.
French interior minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the violence as “absolutely unacceptable” after more than 400 people were detained in Paris alone, where fans set off fires, vandalised shops and even tried to storm a police station. Seven officers were injured in the capital, according to the minister. The unrest spread to about 15 cities nationwide.
“Nearly 800 arrested in France after PSG beat Arsenal in Champions League final; UK police investigate hate crime and misogyny allegations.”
PSG won the final on penalties, securing the trophy for the second consecutive year. Thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate, but the revelry turned ugly. Police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds. By early Sunday, over 280 people had been detained in Paris, with the total number of arrests nationwide nearing 800.
In a separate incident in the West Midlands, six teenage boys have been arrested after a 72-year-old man was assaulted in a park in a suspected hate crime. West Midlands Police said the attack occurred around 6pm on Sunday 24 May. The victim was taken to hospital with injuries to his face and arm, and four other people were also assaulted in the same incident. The force has not released further details.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into five royal protection officers over allegations of misogynistic comments. The force confirmed the inquiry is ongoing but declined to provide further information.
Nuñez said the Paris riots were perpetrated by “a small group” of troublemakers, and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. French authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and social media posts to identify suspects. The Arsenal team and their supporters returned to London without incident.
What This Means For You For UK readers, the Paris violence serves as a reminder of the potential for disorder at major sporting events. Travelling fans should stay aware of local conditions. The West Midlands hate crime investigation underscores concerns about public safety in parks, particularly for elderly people. The Met Police probe into royal protection officers highlights ongoing scrutiny of behaviour within UK policing. No further details on these cases have been released at this stage.