PSG classification to the Champions final causes riots and leaves 127 arrested and 11 injured
PSG's qualification triggered violent incidents in the French capital; authorities announced a special operation for the final against Arsenal in Budapest
The celebration for PSG's qualification to the UEFA Champions League final ended marked by violence in Paris. The French authorities confirmed this Thursday a s aldo of 127 arrested and 11 injured, one of them seriously, after the riots registered during the night after the Parisian club's passage to the fight for the European title.
The Minister of the Interior of France, Laurent Nuñez, reported that 107 arrests occurred in the capital and the rest in nearby municipalities. In addition, he detailed that 23 police officers were injured, although all with minor wounds.
French authorities condemn violence after PSG's win
In statements to radio Europe 1, Nuñez lamented the repetition of these facts in sports celebrations related to Paris Saint-Germain.
“We cannot get used to this violence that is beginning to be habitual”, declared the official, who also highlighted the actions of the was security forces against “the hundreds violent individuals who every time there is an event of this type cause incidents with the police”.
According to the minister, the rapid police intervention prevented looting from businesses and also prevented attempts to block the Paris ring highway.
France prepares strong operational for the Champions final
The French government confirmed that it is working on a special security device for next May 30, the date on which PSG will face Arsenal in the final of the Champions League, scheduled in Budapest.
“We are not going to tolerate these types of actions, we are going to intervene systematically,” Nuñez warned.
The authorities seek to avoid scenarios similar to those recorded last year, when the celebrations for the European title of the Parisian club led to riots with 150 arrested and two people dead.
Controversy over the creation of a fan zone in Paris
Nuñez also publicly criticized the mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, for announcing the installation of a fan zone to follow the final without prior coordination with the Ministry of the Interior.
“In general you have to discuss it first with the prefect of police,” said the minister, who explained that they will evaluate the security conditions before authorizing the space for fans.
French government calls to celebrate without riots
The minister insisted that sports successes must be celebrated without violence and assured that other European capitals have demonstrated that it is possible to organize massive celebrations without incidents.
Nuñez attributed the riots to “a group of individuals” and reiterated that the authorities will act firmly in the face of any alteration of public order.

