Riots erupted in Paris just moments after Arsenal secured a lead against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League match.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz ignited chaos on the streets of the French capital with his powerful goal, slamming the ball into the net merely five minutes into the game.
The Gunners are aiming to secure their second major title this season after clinching the Premier League last week. Meanwhile, PSG is determined to defend their Champions League title for a second consecutive year.
However, the tumultuous atmosphere in Paris transformed into celebration during the second half when PSG’s star player, Ousmane Dembele, netted a well-executed penalty in the 65th minute, leveling the score.
The teams are currently locked in an intense extra-time showdown as they vie for the prestigious Champions League trophy.
Amid the heated atmosphere on Saturday afternoon, French police resorted to tear gas and baton charges to control the crowds who had gathered outside bars and cafés to watch the match on big screens.
Some supporters have also been arrested by police in full riot gear.
‘The trouble started as soon as Arsenal went one-nil up,’ said an onlooker. ‘Chairs and bottles were thrown at the police, who then moved in to make arrests.’
Some Paris St Germain fans managed to climb up scaffolding on a building close to the Rue de Rivoli – one of the main shopping streets in the French capital.
Riots broke out in the French capital just minutes after Arsenal took the lead against PSG in the Champions League
In dramatic scenes in the French capital, PSG supporters have been arrested by police in full riot gear
A PSG fan sets off a flare outside PSG’s home ground of Parc des Princes
Riot Police grab hold of a PSG fan in Paris
A large crowd of PSG fans walking in the street in Paris
Riot police with shields close to Parc des Princes in Paris
Jubilant Arsenal fans react to the earlier goal from Havertz outside the Emirates
This led to further trouble as officers tried to get them down.
Meanwhile, outside the Emirates, hundreds of Arsenal fans reacted jubilantly to Havertz’s goal by setting off red flares.
In Paris, there were further skirmishes throughout the first half of the game, as some cafés turned off their televisions.
Hundreds of tourists visiting nearby monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre museum also found themselves caught up in the trouble.
Firefighters in Paris were seen working to put out flares set off by PSG fans.
Le Parisien reported that around ten people have been arrested outside PSG home ground Parc des Princes where the match is being broadcast.
The French publication has claimed crowds surged after Ousmane Dembele scored his equalizer leading to another show of force from the French police.
Meanwhile other arrests have been made close to the Champs Élysées after a bus stop was vandalised during a clash between supporters and police.
Riot police in Paris arresting a topless PSG fan
Firefighters in Paris were seen working to put out flares set off by PSG fans
Chaotic scenes in Paris as tear gas is fired and French police detain a man
PSG supporters run from the teargas fired by French police during the UEFA Champions League final
In Montmartre fans wearing balaclavas and armed with iron bars have also been spotted.
There were some 5,000 police and gendarmes on the streets of Paris on Saturday to police crowds gathering to watch the Budapest final.
Football violence is becoming an increasing problem across France.
Some 43 people were arrested when Paris St Germain beat Arsenal to reach the European Champions League football final a year ago.
Rioting broke out in Paris, and in other parts of France, as hooded youths fought running battles with riot police.
The worst incident took place close to the Champs Elysées when a car ploughed into a group of fans.
While many Paris fans have travelled to Hungary this year, tens of thousands more remained on the streets of the French capital.
As a precaution, France’s most famous avenue has been cordoned at its upper end this year leaving fans who travelled to the centre of Paris to watch the game on their phones.
