Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) etched their name in history by securing their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final held in Munich, Germany, on May 31, 2025. However, the momentous occasion was tragically overshadowed as euphoric celebrations across France, particularly in Paris, spiraled into widespread violence, chaos, and loss of life.

Thousands of ecstatic PSG supporters poured onto the streets following the historic win. In Paris, major celebratory hubs formed on the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue and around the club's Parc des Princes stadium, where an estimated 50,000 fans had watched the match on giant screens. Initial scenes of jubilation, marked by singing, cheering, and car horns, quickly deteriorated as the night progressed. Destructive elements within the crowds began clashing with police, throwing fireworks, flares, bottles, and other projectiles at officers.

The night of unrest resulted in at least two confirmed fatalities. In Dax, a town in the southwestern Landes region, a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the chest during celebrations at a designated fanzone; he later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. In a separate tragedy in Paris, a 23-year-old man riding a scooter was killed after being struck by a car in the city’s southern 15th arrondissement, an incident authorities believe was connected to the post-match turmoil.

Beyond the fatalities, hundreds of individuals sustained injuries. The French Interior Ministry reported that at least 192 civilians were injured during the disturbances. Additionally, approximately 22 police officers and seven fire service personnel were hurt while attempting to manage the situation. In a particularly severe incident in France’s Normandy region, a police officer was placed in an induced coma after being struck in the eye by a firework. While initial police sources suggested the firework went off accidentally, Gauthier Poupeau, a public prosecutor for Coutances, announced that an investigation had been opened for "intentional violence against a person in a position of public authority." Elsewhere, in Grenoble, southeastern France, a car careered into a group of celebrating fans, injuring four members of the same family, two of them seriously. The driver later turned himself in to the police; he tested negative for alcohol and drugs, and authorities believe the incident was unintentional.

Law enforcement made a significant number of arrests in response to the violence. The Interior Ministry confirmed a total of 559 arrests nationwide, with the majority, 491, occurring in the capital, Paris. Most of these arrests were linked to disorderly conduct, illegal possession of fireworks, and participation in looting. The celebrations also led to extensive property damage. Rioters vandalised public and private property, looted several shops (including a prominent sports shoe outlet and other stores on the Champs-Elysees), smashed bus shelters, and set numerous vehicles on fire. The Interior Ministry reported that 264 cars were torched across the country.

Over 5,400 police officers had been deployed in Paris in anticipation of large crowds and potential unrest. As the situation escalated, police were forced to use water cannons and tear gas to disperse unruly groups, particularly on the Champs-Elysees where some individuals attempted to breach police lines and reach the Arc de Triomphe. Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez condemned the violence, drawing a distinction between genuine supporters and those who sought to cause destruction. "We must not confuse true PSG fans with those who came simply to cause destruction," he stated, noting that many arrested inside a looted shoe store had not even watched the match. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau echoed this sentiment, denouncing the "barbarians" responsible and asserting that he had instructed security forces to "react vigorously to these abuses."

Despite the grim turn of events, official congratulations were extended to PSG for their historic achievement. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the team, calling it a "day of glory for PSG," and announced plans to host the victorious players. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also hailed the win as "historic." A victory parade for the PSG team was scheduled to take place on the Champs-Elysees, with authorities anticipating tens of thousands of supporters and preparing for a heightened police and military presence to ensure safety.

On the football pitch in Munich, PSG's triumph was unequivocal. The 5-0 scoreline against Inter Milan featured goals from Achraf Hakimi, a memorable brace from teenage sensation Désiré Doué (who was also named Player of the Match), and a goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, sealing a maiden Champions League trophy for the Parisian club after years of pursuit.

Ultimately, Paris Saint-Germain’s landmark sporting success was deeply marred by a night of severe violence, tragic deaths, and widespread disorder. The events transformed what should have been a purely joyous national celebration into a period of sombre reflection on public safety and the destructive actions of a disruptive minority.