780 arrested, 219 injured after Champions League riots in France

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PARIS — At least 219 people were injured and 780 arrested following violent clashes between football fans and police across France after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Arsenal to win the UEFA Champions League final.

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French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, said eight people were in serious condition, while 57 police officers were among those injured during the unrest.

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He said more than 450 suspects remain in custody as authorities continue investigations into the violence that disrupted transport services in Paris, including buses, trains and rail operations.

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A person was also found dead after an accident on the Paris ring road, which rioters reportedly attempted to block overnight. The circumstances surrounding the death of the 24-year-old remain unclear.

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Nuñez said 6,000 police officers had been deployed for the victory parade scheduled to hold at the Eiffel Tower area, adding that security forces would respond firmly to any further disturbances.

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“We are a great country for maintaining public order. We allow freedom of assembly, but not excesses,” he said.

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Scenes of chaos erupted on the Champs-Élysées shortly after PSG’s victory on Saturday night, with flares lit, electric bikes set ablaze and shopfronts vandalised. Police responded with tear gas to disperse crowds.

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Paris police confirmed that 480 arrests were made in the capital alone, with 277 people taken into custody, including 82 minors. Offences included attacks on security personnel, property damage, theft and illegal possession of weapons.

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The Paris prosecutor’s office said the figures were still provisional as investigations continued.

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A teenager was also reported to be in critical condition following a separate brawl in another part of the city, although it was not immediately clear if the incidents were directly linked to the football celebrations.

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Authorities said the vast majority of supporters celebrated peacefully, but warned that some individuals who were not genuine fans exploited the occasion to cause disorder.

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Far-right politician Marine Le Pen criticised the unrest, saying it was unusual for football celebrations in France to descend into riots.

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Players are expected to take part in a victory parade later on Sunday, which will include a tour of the Champ-de-Mars near the Eiffel Tower and a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

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