Nearly 130 people were arrested around Paris overnight after clashes broke out between fans and police following Paris Saint-Germain reaching the Champions League final, French interior minister Laurent Nuñez said on Thursday.127 people were arrested in the Paris metropolitan area, including 107 in Paris, Nuñez said while speaking to Europe 1 radio, as quoted by news agency AP. PSG had beaten Bayern Munich to reach their second straight Champions League final and third since 2020.He said 11 people were injured during the unrest, including one person who suffered a serious injury after being hit by a mortar. Twenty-three police officers also suffered minor injuries.The clashes happened outside PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium and on the Champs-Élysées. Police moved in to disperse groups and stop rioters from blocking the Paris ring road.“I condemn this strongly, there are always hundreds of individuals responsible for these excesses during these festivities who look to clash with law enforcement,” Nuñez said.“I would like to thank the police prefect and all of his teams who systematically intervened according to my instructions, and those of my predecessors.”Nuñez also praised police for stopping damage to property and possible looting of shops.He said security arrangements would be strengthened for the Champions League final against Arsenal on May 30 in Budapest, Hungary.France has seen several such incidents in recent years.When PSG won the Champions League last year, more than 500 people were arrested across France. During those celebrations, a man in his 20s died in Paris after his scooter was hit by a car.Violence also continued the following day.In 2020, after PSG lost the Champions League final to Bayern, Paris police arrested 148 people following clashes between fans and officers. Cars and shop windows were damaged during the unrest.In 2013, when PSG won the French league title for the first time in 19 years, celebrations were interrupted after fans fought with riot police for several hours. Thirty people were injured.
