Over 400 detained as chaos ensued in Paris after PSG's victory in the Champions League final

French police have detained over 416 people as violent clashes broke out after Paris Saint-Germain football club’s Champions League final victory. According to a statement released by the country's interior ministry, some 22,000 police were deployed across France for the game, including 8,000 in Paris, after unrest marred PSG’s win in the competition last year.

Amid the chaos, the services of the Paris tram lines were halted, and several metro stations were shut down. Bus traffic was also halted in places in a bid to minimise disturbances. Amid the violence that ensued following the match, six vehicles and two businesses were damaged.

PSG fans went on to clash with police outside Les Fontaines brasserie, close to PSG’s stadium Parc des Princes. As per reports by multiple French news outlets, fans reportedly aimed fireworks at police officers, who responded with tear gas. Fire was seen blazing from multiple areas during the chaos.

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According to AFP, nearly 50,000 fans were expected to watch the match on big screens inside Parc des Princes. Meanwhile, the French city's public transport authority predicted that 200,000 more people than usual would use its services on the night of the final.

Not the first time

It is pertinent to note that vandalism, looting and riots occurred after PSG won the competition last year. Even at that time, there was unrest on the streets with more than 500 arrests and two deaths.

“We are in a moment of joy, but nothing can justify what has happened in the last few hours,” Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said last year. “The events are unacceptable; they have deprived our compatriots of happiness. Two people are dead. The nation is in mourning. We will punish. We will be relentless. That’s not football.”

Disturbance also erupted three weeks ago when the team reached the final with a semi-final win over Bayern Munich. At that time, there were 127 arrests, confirmed by France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. “I condemn these excesses which are sadly becoming a common occurrence on nights when Paris St-Germain win,” he said, warning that no similar behaviour would be indulged around the final.

“No disturbances will be tolerated,” he said. “There will always be a very firm response.” Apart from this, several flares were also set off inside the stadium after PSG equalised the score. That prompted dozens of riot police to take up a position in front of the French fans as they surged towards the front of the stand.

With inputs from agencies.