Paris Saint-Germain has once again put its name at the top of European football. Opposed to Arsenal in a particularly hotly contested final at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Luis Enrique’s men retained their continental crown after an interminable penalty shootout. After a parity score at the end of regulation time, the Parisians showed composure to win and win the second Champions League in their history. A performance which immediately triggered scenes of jubilation in the French capital, where thousands of supporters invaded the main gathering places to celebrate this new European coronation.
But as is often the case during big football evenings, the euphoria quickly gave way to excesses. Despite calls for calm launched by President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and an exceptional security system mobilizing several thousand police officers and gendarmes, numerous tensions broke out in different sectors of Paris. Clashes were reported around the Parc des Princes, on the Champs-Élysées and in several neighborhoods in the center of the capital. Vehicles and bicycles were set on fire, projectiles were thrown at the police and several damages to street furniture were recorded. During a press briefing held overnight, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced 416 arrests throughout France, including 283 in the Paris area alone.
A big scare scene in Budapest
If all eyes were on Paris, the situation also became tense in Budapest, host city of this historic final, as reported by the Hungarian newspaper Blikk. The Hungarian capital welcomed nearly 250,000 supporters from all over Europe to attend the event. The day before the match, several altercations had been reported in the city center, particularly in the area of Király Street where groups of supporters clashed. The Hungarian authorities had to intervene on several occasions to contain tensions while the fan zones and surroundings of the Puskás Arena were full. During the match, Parisian supporters also used pyrotechnic devices after their team’s equalizer, prompting the rapid intervention of security forces.
The incidents continued after the final whistle. According to Budapest police, several acts of vandalism were noted on Kálvin Square where a pub was targeted. The window of the establishment was broken during an altercation and an investigation was opened to identify the perpetrators. Authorities also had to intervene near the UEFA Champions Festival after a young man walked through the crowd with what appeared to be an assault rifle. The object ultimately turned out to be a fake replica, but its very realistic appearance caused great concern. At the same time, the police found an English supporter who had left hospital despite injuries considered serious in order to attend the final. A series of incidents which somewhat tarnished the celebration in a city which was hosting a Champions League final for the first time in its history.
