PARIS — What should have been a night of glory for Paris Saint-Germain turned into another embarrassing chapter of urban mayhem Saturday as the club's Champions League triumph over Arsenal exploded into riots, with cars torched, property smashed, and police clashing with unruly crowds.
PSG edged Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in Budapest after a 1-1 draw, securing back-to-back European titles. But back in the City of Light, thousands of so-called fans turned the Champs-Élysées and areas near Parc des Princes into a battlefield.
Video circulating on social media, including footage highlighted by critics of Europe's migration policies, showed raging fires, groups smashing windows, and thick smoke billowing under the Eiffel Tower as fireworks doubled as weapons. One clip captured a car engulfed in flames while crowds rampaged through the streets.
Paris police detained at least 45 people, with some reports putting the number higher, up to hundreds nationwide, after groups tried to storm a police station and hurled projectiles at officers. Riot cops responded with tear gas as fires lit up the night. Six vehicles and storefronts were damaged, authorities said.
This isn't new for the French capital. PSG "victory" nights have a nasty habit of descending into violence, with hooligans, opportunists, and welfare-dependent troublemakers using any excuse to wreak havoc.
Critics on X pointed the finger squarely at failed immigration and integration policies: "Europe imported the 3rd world migrants, thinking they would become productive workers and extend the pension system... Instead, the migrants went on welfare and burned down cities after soccer matches."
The scenes echo years of similar post-match riots in Paris and other European cities, where generous benefits haven't translated into assimilation, just dependency and disorder.French authorities had braced for trouble, deploying thousands of officers. Shops on the Champs-Élysées boarded up in advance. But once again, the party turned ugly fast.
PSG fans had gathered by the tens of thousands to watch the final on big screens. The dramatic win with heroics from Donnarumma in goal should have been pure joy. Instead, it became another reminder of a city (and continent) struggling with law and order.
As Paris licks its wounds and tallies the damage, questions linger: How many more "celebrations" will end in flames before real change comes? For now, the beautiful game has a very ugly side in the City of Light.
