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Paris descended into chaos on Wednesday night, May 7, following Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) victory over Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final. What began as jubilant celebrations quickly spiraled into violence, with riot police clashing with fans across the city.
PSG secured their spot in the final with a 2-1 win at the Parc des Princes, sealing a 3-1 aggregate triumph. Supporters poured into the streets to celebrate, particularly around the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, where tensions escalated dramatically. In a shocking incident, a car drove into a crowd of PSG fans, injuring three people—one of them critically. Witnesses reported that the vehicle ploughed through the gathering before being chased down by a group of supporters, who forced it to stop on Avenue Marceau and set it on fire.
Police confirmed that 44 people were arrested in connection with the night’s unrest. One law enforcement source described the car attack as the “worst” incident of the evening, saying, “At least three supporters were injured, one seriously, and others were sent flying.”
Despite a heavy security presence—including an additional 2,000 officers and gendarmes deployed across the city—violent clashes broke out both before and after the match in multiple locations.
While 2,000 Arsenal fans held official tickets for the game, thousands more traveled to Paris, congregating in pubs and public viewing areas. The club had warned its supporters in advance to avoid certain neighborhoods, particularly Auteuil, due to concerns over safety and street crime.
The violence overshadowed what was otherwise a historic night for PSG as they advance to the Champions League final. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incidents, including the car attack, as the city begins to reckon with the aftermath of the disorder.
