The excitement of Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Arsenal quickly turned dark when a violent incident unfolded in the streets of Paris following the Champions League semi-final.
As fans celebrated, a car was deliberately set on fire by a gang of youths, leading to a chaotic scene captured on video and shared widely on social media.
Car Collides with Fans, Leaving Several Injured
The disturbing event occurred shortly after PSG’s 2-1 win over Arsenal, which secured them a place in the final.
A high-end car reportedly drove into a group of celebrating PSG fans, injuring at least three people, with one of them suffering serious injuries.
Witnesses said the car knocked fans down before the driver fled the scene.
After the crash, a gang of individuals chased the car, forcing it to stop in a side street.
They set the vehicle on fire, leaving it burning while onlookers filmed the incident. Emergency responders were seen carrying one of the injured fans on a stretcher.
Clashes with Police on the Champs-Élysées
Amid the celebration and violence, riot police clashed with hooded youths, many wearing PSG shirts, on the Champs-Élysées and surrounding streets.
The atmosphere was tense as police attempted to control the crowds, with reports suggesting that the police used tear gas to disperse the unruly fans.
Videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes of fans being pushed back by police, with some fans covering their faces, likely from the tear gas.
One video caption read, “Entire streets are tear-gassed by the police ahead of the Parc des Princes,” adding to the sense of unrest.
Arrests and Uncertainty Around the Incident
By 2 a.m., more than 20 individuals had been arrested in connection with the violent celebrations.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and the actions of the car’s occupants.
It is unclear whether the individuals in the car were arrested or if the vehicle had been driven intentionally into the crowd.
The car’s occupants were seen fleeing the scene, but no further details have emerged.
Increased Tensions Between PSG Fans and Authorities
This incident is part of a troubling trend of increasing violence linked to football celebrations in France.
Over the years, PSG fans have had a history of clashing with law enforcement, and tensions were high in the lead-up to the game.
Police had already clashed with PSG fans before the match, and security was stepped up throughout the city.
Despite these measures, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
Warnings for Arsenal Fans Amid Rising Tensions
Ahead of the match, Arsenal had cautioned their traveling supporters to stay vigilant due to the history of fan-related violence in Paris.
Earlier this season, Aston Villa fans had faced similar issues during a match in the French capital.
With heightened security measures and police presence, the authorities were trying to prevent any major incidents, but the situation quickly escalated following PSG’s victory.