The city of Budapest is preparing to experience a high-tension Champions League final this Saturday, May 30 between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Puskás Aréna. Thousands of supporters are expected in the Hungarian capital, including without tickets, pushing the authorities to massively strengthen the security system around the stadium, transport and the city center. Fears of excesses are not unfounded: the Parisian ultras have recently been involved in several violence after PSG’s European matches, while Arsenal supporters have already distinguished themselves this season by clashes with the police on the move.
Police reinforcements from France and the United Kingdom will support the Hungarian forces in order to prevent this final from degenerating into scenes of riots. The Minister of Transport and Investment, Dávid Vitézy, and the Minister of the Interior, Gábor Pósfai, have started negotiations regarding the match which risks severely disrupting traffic on Budapest’s roads and public transport. The Hungarian newspaper Blikk already talking about “widespread chaos, burning cars and street clashes” to be expected this Saturday in the streets of Budapest.
