2 people died, hundreds arrested and cars set ablaze in France overnight as football fans celebrated: Champions League
Two people died, hundreds arrested and cars set ablaze in France overnight as football fans celebrated PSG’s stunning Champions League final victory.
Paris police prefect Laurent Nuñez said PSG’s Champions League trophy parade will go ahead on Sunday evening – but there will be an increased police and military presence on the ground.
“This is just half time for us because the PSG players are coming to Paris. There will be a celebration around the Parc des Princes as well and the players will be at the Parc des Princes to meet their fans.
“There again we are expecting some clashes, some scuffles and we will be there and we will be very strong in our response against the vandals, against the thieves who have a go at the police officers.
“We will not tolerate any abuse today and the fans who want to enjoy the parade, can do so safely.”
Nuñez spoke after the French interior ministry said 192 people were injured in the overnight clashes and 559 people arrested, including 491 in Paris.
Twenty-two police officers and seven firefighters were injured, the ministry said, adding that 264 vehicles were set on fire.
Nuñez said: “The toll is lower than what we have seen in the past, but we will never get used to this kind of abuse, with people who only came to commit acts of vandalism and who did not even watch the match, and we will always have a very firm response.”
He added that “PSG supporters shouldn’t be mixed up with gangs of looters and vandals”.
Separately, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office told the BBC “several shops were looted” in the Place des Ternes area. About 30 people were arrested and taken into custody near a Foot Locker on the Champs-Elysées that was robbed, the office said.
