Hundreds of people were arrested in France as celebrations for Paris Saint-Germain’s second Champions League title descended into violence on Saturday night, with one group attempting to storm a police station.
Fans began celebrating at the final whistle after PSG’s victory over Arsenal on penalties in a dramatic final held earlier in Budapest, Hungary.
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Thousands of fans had gathered across the French capital, with an estimated 20,000 congregating on the Champs-Élysées, where police worked to manage the crowds.
Dozens of fans marched near the Arc de Triomphe, setting off flares and blaring car horns, before the festivities turned sour, leading to the arrests.
However, the Paris police prefecture said smaller groups caused disturbances in various locations, with some vandalising shops and setting fires. One police officer was injured.
By 10pm, 45 people were taken into custody (AP)
Those who attempted to storm a police station in the posh 8th Arrondissement neighbourhood were dispersed, police said.
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By 11pm, police had made more than 130 arrests. A police spokesperson said six vehicles and two storefronts had been damaged by.
By Sunday morning, the French Interior Minister said there had been 416 arrests across France, with 283 in the Paris area alone, according to BFMTV.
The main ring road surrounding Paris was briefly blockaded by a crowd before police dispersed it. Police also said one bakery and a restaurant were damaged.
Officers also contained about 1,000 people gathered near the PSG stadium in the 16th Arrondissement and cleared barricades made from bicycles.
In May last year, when police made more than 500 arrests across France following PSG’s first title, Paris was on high alert, with 8,000 police officers deployed across the city.
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