PSG celebrate first Champions League title amid nationwide unrest

KATHMANDU: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players celebrated their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a victory parade in Paris on Sunday afternoon. However, the celebrations came just hours after violent unrest spread across France.

The French giants clinched the coveted title in style on Saturday night, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final held in Munich.

Under the leadership of head coach Luis Enrique, the team paraded on an open-top bus from the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, amid heightened security measures.

Despite the joyous occasion, the aftermath of the match on Saturday night saw widespread disorder across the country, resulting in two fatalities.

In the southwestern city of Dax, a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the chest, while in central Paris, a 23-year-old man riding a scooter died after being struck by a vehicle.

According to Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez, violent clashes overnight left 192 people injured, and 491 arrests were made in Paris alone.

Incidents of fireworks, vandalism, bus stop destruction, and vehicle arson were reported in multiple cities. A total of 264 vehicles were set ablaze. Among the injured were 22 police officers and 7 firefighters.

In Grenoble, southeastern France, four PSG supporters from the same family were injured after being hit by a car. Two of them remain in serious condition, police confirmed.

PSG released a statement condemning the violent acts associated with the celebrations: “Our supporters have displayed admirable discipline throughout the season. These isolated acts of violence do not reflect the club’s values or represent our vast community of fans,” the club said.

Despite the unrest, authorities proceeded with Sunday’s parade, capping attendance at 100,000 participants. Following the celebrations, PSG players visited the Élysée Palace for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.