Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) celebrated a historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final on May 31, 2025, sparking nationwide celebrations in France that tragically turned violent, resulting in two deaths, hundreds of arrests, and numerous injuries across the country.
The epicenter of jubilation and unrest was Paris, where thousands of supporters flooded the Champs-Élysées avenue, honking car horns, singing, and lighting fireworks late into the night. However, the euphoria quickly gave way to clashes with police, with riot officers deploying water cannons and tear gas to contain the crowds near the Arc de Triomphe and other hotspots.
According to the French Ministry of the Interior, 491 people were arrested in Paris alone, with a total of 559 arrests reported across the country. Many of those detained were suspected of illegally possessing fireworks or causing disorder. Police reported that "troublemakers on the Champs-Élysées were looking to create incidents and repeatedly came into contact with police by throwing large fireworks and other objects." The violence extended beyond the capital, including a serious incident in Grenoble, southeastern France, where a car ploughed into PSG fans celebrating the win, injuring four members of the same family, two of them seriously. The driver surrendered to authorities and was tested negative for alcohol and drugs; investigators believe the crash was unintentional.
Tragically, two people lost their lives during the celebrations. In Paris' southern 15th arrondissement, a 23-year-old man riding a scooter was fatally struck by a car about 2 kilometers from the Champs-Élysées. Meanwhile, in the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death during a street party celebrating PSG’s triumph. The local prosecutor’s office confirmed the stabbing occurred "during the celebrations" but was still investigating whether it was directly related to the Champions League final. The assailant remains at large.
Adding to the toll, a police officer in northwest France’s Coutances was placed in an induced coma after being hit in the face by fireworks during the unrest. Nationwide, around 200 people were injured, including 21 police officers, with 22 officers and seven firefighters hurt in Paris alone. The Ministry of the Interior also reported that 264 vehicles were torched overnight, and 692 fires were recorded across the country.
Despite the violence, the majority of PSG fans celebrated peacefully. At the Place de la Bastille in Paris, joyous scenes unfolded with fans climbing the base of the iconic column, singing, dancing, and letting off flares. The Eiffel Tower was illuminated in PSG’s blue and red colors, symbolizing the city’s pride in their team’s first-ever Champions League title.
French President Emmanuel Macron, a known supporter of Olympique de Marseille, took to the social media platform X to hail the victory as a "day of glory for PSG," adding, "Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe this evening." Macron planned to host the victorious players at the Élysée Palace on June 1, 2025, and attend a trophy presentation at the Parc des Princes stadium, where 48,000 fans had watched the match on giant screens.
Paris police prefect Laurent Nuñez announced that despite the unrest, the PSG Champions League trophy parade on June 1 would proceed with heightened police and military presence to ensure public safety. He warned of anticipated scuffles during the parade but promised a firm response against vandals and looters. "PSG supporters shouldn't be mixed up with gangs of looters and vandals," Nuñez said, emphasizing the need to distinguish between genuine fans and troublemakers.
However, the celebrations sparked political controversy. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence on social media, stating, "True PSG fans are getting excited about their team’s magnificent performance. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement. It is unbearable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing." He called for accountability and a strong law enforcement response.
Meanwhile, Antoine Léaument, a member of the radical left party La France Insoumise, criticized the use of tear gas on the Champs-Élysées, describing it as "extremely dangerous" and blaming the interior minister for the chaos. On the other side of the political spectrum, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National, seized the moment to claim that Paris had become "a playground for thugs," highlighting concerns over lawlessness in the city’s suburbs, which are home to many PSG players.
Earlier in the day, tensions had already flared in Munich, the Champions League final’s host city, where PSG and Inter Milan supporters clashed violently at Fröttmaning station. Stones were thrown, and fans disrupted train services by entering the tracks, foreshadowing the chaos that would later erupt in France.
Despite the turmoil, PSG’s historic win captivated the nation, drawing an audience of approximately 11.5 million viewers across France, according to Mediametrie and broadcaster Canal+. The club itself condemned the violence, stating on social media that winning the title "should be a moment of collective joy, not of unrest and disorder," and called on supporters to "show responsibility and respect" during the upcoming parade.
The PSG victory marks a landmark achievement for the club, clinching Europe’s most prestigious football prize for the first time in their history. Supporters like 20-year-old Clement expressed heartfelt pride, saying, "It’s so good and so deserved! We have a song that talks about our struggles, and it hasn’t always been easy. But we got our faith back this year with a team without stars. They’re 11 guys who play for each other." This sentiment captures the spirit of the team and its fans, underscoring the significance of the triumph beyond just the scoreline.
As the city of Paris prepared for the trophy parade on June 1, 2025, security forces remained vigilant to prevent further violence, determined to allow genuine fans to celebrate safely. The events surrounding PSG’s victory serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between passionate celebration and public order, highlighting challenges that French authorities continue to face in managing large-scale sporting events.
