‘Playground for Thugs’ — Two Dead, 700 Fires, and Nearly 560 Arrests in France After Champions League Final
France saw a record number of arrests following a major sporting event after deadly scenes broke out following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Two people lost their lives, including a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Dax and a 20-year-old who was mowed down by a car in Paris. Several others were injured as a car crashed into the crowd in Grenoble.
According to a report from Le Figaro, at least 192 people were injured during the chaos, including seven firefighters and 22 police officers, one of whom is said to be in a coma.
The paper, citing police sources, said that 559 arrests were made throughout the evening into the early hours of Sunday, including 491 in Paris. This dwarfed previous sports-related violence, such as the 227 arrests following the 2022 World Cup final.
TOPSHOT – Anti-riot police officers detain a person as Paris Saint-Germain supporters celebrate after PSG won the UEFA Champions League final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan held in Munich, on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on May 31, 2025. (Photo by LOU BENOIST / AFP) (Photo by LOU BENOIST/AFP via Getty Images)
PSG supporters and violent opportunists looted stores across the country, including a Foot Locker on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, as well as in the cities of Annemasse, Nantes, and Pau. At least 700 fires were set, and 264 cars were set ablaze.
The scenes sparked harsh condemnation from political leaders, including Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who condemned the “barbarians” and “thugs” who took to the streets following the soccer match.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters gather holding flares on a street in Paris early June 1, 2025, during celebrations following their 5-0 victory in the UEFA Champions League final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan held in Munich. (Photo by LOU BENOIST / AFP) (Photo by LOU BENOIST/AFP via Getty Images)
National Rally President Jordan Bardella said: “As with every popular festival, the French capital becomes a playground for thugs. Always the same profiles and always the same state impotence. It is no longer just a serious problem of insecurity: it is the entire image of France that is tarnished in the world.”
A Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporter celebrates in Paris early June 1, 2025, following their 5-0 victory in the UEFA Champions League final football match against Inter Milan held in Munich. (Photo by Nael Chahine / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by NAEL CHAHINE/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Bardella also criticised Retailleau for having “clearly underestimated” the police presence needed on Saturday evening. According to Le Figaro, some 5,000 officers were mobilised in Paris.
“Bruno Retailleau speaks of ‘barbarians’ in the streets of Paris: tonight we have further proof that words, even harsh ones, will never replace action. He will have to explain this fiasco,” the National Rally leader said.
Responding to an image of rioters on top of a statue honouring French Patron Saint Joan of Arc, French MEP Marion Maréchal remarked: “Just days before the anniversary of her burning at the stake, did Joan of Arc deserve this?”
“Perhaps they don’t even know who the saint is whose statue they are desecrating here… No one can yet claim that by continuing we will move towards a bright future of peace and national cohesion. The change of trajectory is imperative and urgent.”
Paris Saint-Germain supporters celebrate after PSG wins the UEFA Champions League final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan in Munich, on the Champs-Elysees avenue, where clashes take place between supporters and police using lots of tear gas in Paris, France, on May 31, 2025. (Photo by Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, the violent outburst was downplayed by the far-left, who attempted to cast blame on the police for instigating the mobs.
MP Antoine Léaument, who joined the crowds on Saturday, said that “like tens of thousands of PSG supporters, I didn’t break anything or loot anything. I was just with my friends to party at the Champs Élysées.”
“But the party turned into a hail of tear gas. Retailleau is definitely a bad Minister of the Interior.”
Meanwhile, leftist LFI parliamentarian Eric Coquerel blasted Interior Minister Retailleu for the use of the word “barbarians”, which he said had “racist undertones”.
