There was chaos on the streets of Paris on Wednesday night after Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal to reach the final of the Champions League. Supporters poured onto the streets to celebrate the home side’s 3-1 victory on aggregate, only to be greeted by violence.
Footage posted on social media showed supporters clashing with police kitted out in riot gear while flares burned on the streets. Shockingly, three people were also injured, with one suffering ‘critical’ injuries, after a car hit a group near the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
All three were taken to hospital, with one reportedly stretchered from the scene. The car was then found burned out on the nearby Avenue Marceau.
“The worst incident so far involved a car apparently being driven into a group of PSG fans,” a police source was quoted as saying.
“At least three supporters were injured, one seriously, and others were sent flying. A gang then chased the car, setting it on fire and leaving it to burn after they forced it to stop in a side street.”
Reports in local media said 44 people had been arrested in total.
Around 2,000 Arsenal fans had tickets for the match at the Parc des Princes, which ended 2-1 to PSG, while thousands of others travelled to the French capital to watch the game in bars.
Local authorities had prepared for the game by bringing in 2,000 extra police and gendarmes to the streets. But the city’s reputation for disruption and violence reared its head on Wednesday night.
Arsenal supporters on social media reported seeing PSG fans fighting with riot police and tear gas being deployed and there were clashes with riot police before the game even started.
There were concerns among travelling supporters well before kick-off in the Champions League semi-final, with the club giving out red and white scarfs to their fans. Writing on social media, some fans questioned whether marking themselves out as Arsenal supporters might not be a wise move.
Arsenal were well aware of potential trouble, having issued a statement to fans which read: “Supporters are strongly advised to avoid the Auteuil suburb of Paris and should take note of this when travelling to the Parc des Princes on matchday.
“Street crime, including pickpocketing, can take place in Paris. Supporters are advised to be vigilant, take sensible precautions and ensure they have valid travel insurance.
“Supporters are strongly advised not to use line 10 on the metro system which would result in supporters exiting the metro system in Auteuil.”
Sadly, Paris has a reputation for such problems, with visiting Aston Villa supporters experiencing issues earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Liverpool fans were tear gassed by French police while trying to get into the Stade de France for the 2022 Champions League final, while some fans were also ambushed and mugged by gangs of French youths
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