### PSG's Champions League Victory Marred by Violent Celebrations

Desire Doue's deflected shot had just found the back of the net, sparking an eruption of fireworks in the eastern Paris suburb of Montreuil. Across the French capital, fans gathered in bars, cafes, and living rooms to watch Paris Saint-Germain's historic 5-0 triumph over Inter in the Champions League final. This victory marked PSG's long-awaited redemption, five years after their previous appearance in the final and 14 years following the transformative takeover by Qatar Sports Investments. It also broke a 32-year wait since their rivals Marseille claimed France's first—and until now, only—men's Champions League success.

Despite the jubilant atmosphere, the skies quickly darkened with chaos as harrowing videos started surfacing on social media. Images of cars burning, vandalized bus stops, and traffic coming to a halt filled people's screens. In Montreuil, a young man was violently robbed of his scooter, and a cyclist was left injured in the street. Even more shocking incidents followed, including a collision between a car and a group of people in Grenoble, leaving two seriously injured.

In the heart of Paris, on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse supporters trying to break through barriers to reach the Arc de Triomphe. Mathieu Faurie, who witnessed the chaos firsthand, described moments of panic as police attempted to control the disorder by tear-gassing people, leading to chaotic crowds trying to escape.

In Place de la Bastille, celebrations similarly spiraled out of control. A German journalist reported having to take shelter in a restaurant as it was attacked by rioters, with fireworks and bottles thrown, causing distress among patrons, including children.

French authorities reported 491 arrests in Paris that night. Laurent Nunez, Paris's prefect of police, stated that 192 members of the public and nine police officers were injured. Tragically, a 23-year-old scooter rider died in a collision, and a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the town of Dax.

As the following afternoon brought a more controlled scene, PSG fans gathered for a parade along the Champs-Elysees. Supporter Eliot Nivet noted that the previous night's chaos seemed inescapable, with the now-familiar scenes of small fires and widespread fervor. While fans expressed disappointment about the violence overshadowing a historic achievement, they also acknowledged the struggle of maintaining order amid such heightened emotions.

Despite the efforts to ensure a peaceful celebration, further skirmishes occurred during the trophy procession. Police again used tear gas to manage dozens of ticketless fans attempting to breach the security perimeter around the Parc des Princes.

The violence and disorder served as a grim reminder of previous chaotic events, including those witnessed at PSG's 2013 trophy parade and the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, highlighting the challenges authorities face in managing large-scale celebrations.