Hundreds arrested in France after wild Champions League celebrations

Thousands of officers were deployed to curb unrest that disrupted bus, train and rail services in the capital Paris. Fireworks and flares were set off, while several police officers were injured in the fray. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds in the city centre. While it marked a consecutive victory for PSG, it was also the second year in a row of football-fuelled violence, after the French side's 2025 win sparked celebrations that turned deadly. Footage from Paris appears to show flares being set off, electric bikes burning on roads and revellers smashing the glass of at least one shopfront. The Champs-Élysées was swarmed by fans shortly after the French team won in a penalty shootout. Earlier in the day there were clashes between police and supporters who showed up to watch the final on giant screens at PSG's Parc des Princes. Police said six vehicles, two businesses and a bus shelter were damaged during the unrest. France's interior ministry said 416 were arrested in the early hours of Sunday, including 280 people in Paris. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said seven officers had been injured and called the unrest "absolutely unacceptable". Far-right leader Marine Le Pen wrote on X: "Only in France does a football club's victory spark riots." "Only in France does everyone feel compelled to lock themselves in their homes on the evening of a victory to avoid being confronted with violence," she said. Players are due to take part in a victory parade on Sunday afternoon, which includes touring the Champ-de-Mars next to the Eiffel Tower and a reception held by French President Emmanuel Macron. Last year, PSG's European championship triumph was marred by clashes that left two people dead, including a 17-year-old boy. Paris 'punishingly hot' as Western Europe hit by heatwaveWave of child abuse cases shakes schools in ParisMore from the BBC2 days agoPortugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwaveFrench students are taking their exams in baking schools, while red alerts are issued in Italy. The Home Office says the UK won’t pay France if the site doesn’t open, under a deal to curb migrant crossings. The couple, who allegedly left the woman's sons on a roadside in southern Portugal, will remain in custody. Latest polls suggest the centre-right figure is the only candidate who can defeat Marine Le Pen or Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The children were carrying backpacks with food and water but no identity documents when they were found by a driver.

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Original Source: BBC