France descended into chaos after Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph, with violent celebrations claiming two lives and leading to a record 559 arrests nationwide.
According to Breitbart, the unrest following PSG's 5-0 victory over Inter Milan on Saturday transformed celebration into tragedy.
The violence left a 17-year-old stabbed to death in Dax and a 20-year-old killed by a vehicle in Paris. Nearly 200 people suffered injuries during the mayhem, including 29 emergency responders, with one police officer reportedly in a coma.
Unprecedented destruction sweeps nation
Paris bore the brunt of the destruction, with 491 arrests in the capital alone, far exceeding previous sports-related disturbances. The 559 total arrests nationwide dwarfed the 227 detentions following the 2022 World Cup final, marking a disturbing escalation in post-match violence.
Rioters set approximately 700 fires across France and burned 264 vehicles. Looters targeted businesses in multiple cities, including a Foot Locker on the prestigious Champs-Élysées in Paris. Similar scenes of destruction played out in Annemasse, Nantes, and Pau as authorities struggled to maintain control.
Several additional injuries occurred in Grenoble when a vehicle crashed into celebrating crowds. Images showed rioters climbing atop a statue of Joan of Arc, prompting outrage from political figures about the desecration of a national symbol just days before the anniversary of her execution.
Political leaders condemn violence
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau issued harsh condemnations of the perpetrators, labeling them "barbarians" and "thugs" for their role in the destructive celebrations. His comments reflected growing frustration among government officials facing criticism for inadequate security preparations.
National Rally President Jordan Bardella criticized both the perpetrators and the government response, suggesting the Interior Minister had "clearly underestimated" the necessary police presence despite deploying 5,000 officers in Paris. Bardella connected the riots to broader concerns about public safety in France.
French MEP Marion Maréchal expressed particular outrage over rioters climbing the Joan of Arc statue, stating: "Just days before the anniversary of her burning at the stake, did Joan of Arc deserve this?" She suggested the desecration reflected a deeper cultural disconnect, adding: "Perhaps they don't even know who the saint is whose statue they are desecrating here."
Left and right clash over response
The violent aftermath created immediate political divisions, with left-wing politicians offering dramatically different interpretations of events than their conservative counterparts. While right-leaning leaders condemned the rioters, some leftist figures directed blame toward police tactics.
MP Antoine Léaument, who joined the celebrations, defended the majority of participants while criticizing the authorities. He claimed: "Like tens of thousands of PSG supporters, I didn't break anything or loot anything. I was just with my friends to a party at the Champs Élysées. But the party turned into a hail of tear gas. Retailleau is definitely a bad Minister of the Interior."
LFI parliamentarian Eric Coquerel took particular issue with Interior Minister Retailleau's terminology, criticizing his use of the word "barbarians" as having "racist undertones." This rhetorical clash highlighted the politically charged nature of discussions around public safety and policing in France.
National image tarnished
The destructive celebrations have raised concerns about France's international reputation and ongoing security challenges. The chaotic scenes dominated international headlines, overshadowing PSG's historic Champions League victory.
Jordan Bardella captured these concerns, stating: "It is no longer just a serious problem of insecurity: it is the entire image of France that is tarnished in the world." His comments reflected growing anxiety about how repeated incidents of public disorder affect perceptions of France globally.
The timing is particularly problematic for French authorities, who face mounting criticism over public safety issues while continuing to recover from previous bouts of civil unrest. The violent aftermath of what should have been a moment of national celebration has instead become another flashpoint in ongoing debates about security, policing, and social cohesion in France.
