Two Dead, 559 Arrested as PSG’s Champions League Victory Sparks Chaos in France

Paris Saint-Germain’s historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final on May 31, 2025, at Munich’s Allianz Arena, marking their first-ever title, was overshadowed by violent celebrations across France that left two dead, 559 arrested, and 192 injured.

The euphoria in Paris, where 11.5 million viewers tuned in, turned chaotic as thousands converged on the Champs-Élysées, setting off flares, smashing bus shelters, and torching 264 vehicles among 692 reported fires. Police deployed water cannons and tear gas to control crowds, with 491 arrests in the capital alone, primarily for illegal fireworks and public disorder. Across France, 18 police officers and 22 firefighters were injured, with one officer in Normandy in an induced coma after a firework struck his eye.

Tragic incidents included a 17-year-old boy stabbed to death in Dax during a celebratory gathering, with the perpetrator still at large. In Paris’s 15th arrondissement, a 23-year-old man died after a car struck his scooter, though investigations suggest it may be unrelated to the celebrations. In Grenoble, a car accidentally plowed into a family of four, seriously injuring two, with the driver, who tested negative for alcohol and drugs, in custody.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the “barbarians” responsible, vowing a robust response. Despite the chaos, most fans celebrated peacefully, with 20-year-old supporter Clement praising PSG’s “team without stars.” The victory parade on June 1 along the Champs-Élysées, expected to draw 100,000 fans, proceeded with heightened security, as President Emmanuel Macron hosted the team at the Élysée Palace, calling it a “day of glory.”