Football fans riot as fires set and missiles thrown with hundreds arrested

TROUBLE HAS FLARED OUTSIDE PSG'S STADIUM AS FANS GATHERED TO WATCH THE CLUB COMPETE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL, WITH FIRES SET ALIGHT ACROSS THE CITY AND COPS CHARGING FANS NEAR

ICONIC LANDMARKS 21:57, 31 May 2025Updated 07:17, 01 Jun 2025 At least 81 people have been arrested after shocking violence broke out close to Paris Saint Germain's home stadium as fans

gathered to watch their club in the Champions League final. PSG fans had earlier celebrated their sides opener against Inter Milan outside Parc des Princes, where a fanzone had been set up

for fans unable to attend the match in Munich. There are reports as many as 294 people were arrested overnight. Horror footage on social media shows chaotic scenes as baton-wielding cops

clashed with rioting youths in the city, near where thousands of fans had gathered. Roads around the stadium had been blocked off to allow the game to be screened to fans before trouble

flared on Saturday evening. Several blazes were set alight near the stadium and fire crews have been deployed to numerous scenes to fight the flames as disorder erupted. Article continues

below Riot police charged at huge crowds of rioters as tensions flared and cops deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd near the stadium. Elsewhere in the city, crowds have been seen running

across the Ring Road in Paris and blocking traffic. When a mobile police unit was deployed to disperse them, it was forced to retreat after missiles were thrown and the crowds clashed with

cops. One shocking social media video shows police officers dragging a balaclava-clad man on the road as huge crowds throw missiles at them. Social media users reported seeing police also

charging toward crowds on the Champs-Élysées, where another fanzone was being held. Local media reported that at police had made at least 81 arrests. France's interior minister Bruno

Retailleau said in a statement on social media: "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. "I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses. I offer my support to the Police Prefect and all the

police officers who are ensuring everyone's safety this evening. It is unbearable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect

nothing." Organisers in the French capital had put in place an "unprecedented festive and security program" to celebrate the event before, during and after kick-off. Build-up

to the final started on Friday night when the Eiffel Tower was lit up in messages of support for the club. And on Saturday, from 8 p.m., the Iron Lady was illuminated in the club’s red and

blue colors throughout the match and shone for every goal scored by PSG. Several fan zones and giant broadcasts had been put in place in the city and its surrounding suburbs. The Hippodrome

de Longchamp hosted France’s biggest open-air party, with a 30metre diagonal LED screen and food trucks. As well as the fanzone at the stadium, the Champs-Élysées, was closed to traffic from

7pm on Saturday evening. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez had previously told local media that 5,400 police officers would be deployed in the city for the UEFA Champions League final. And

he did not rule out the possibility of cancelling a victory parade planned for June 1 "in event of disorder" if PSG won the final. Article continues below The disorder came as PSG

trounced Inter Milan 5-0 in the showpiece event, with goals from Hakimi, Kvaratskhelia, Mayulu and a brace from Doué to claim their first European championship. It was only the club's

second final since the megabucks Qatari takeover of the club catapulted them into the elite of European football. _FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND STORIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FROM THE

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