Chaos Erupts Across France After Macron Endorses Palestinian State and PSG Wins Champions League
by Worthy News Europe Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – Just hours after French President Emmanuel Macron made headlines by endorsing the creation of a Palestinian state, the streets of Paris—and much of France—descended into chaos following Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.
The night that was supposed to mark a moment of national pride quickly turned violent. Across the country, two people were killed and nearly 560 arrested in riots that followed PSG’s first Champions League title. France’s interior ministry reported 192 injuries, including 30 police officers, and at least 692 fires ignited—264 involving vehicles.
One victim, a 17-year-old boy, was fatally stabbed during street celebrations in Dax. In central Paris, a 23-year-old man died after being struck by a vehicle while riding a scooter. Meanwhile, in Grenoble, a BMW plowed into a crowd of PSG fans, injuring four members of the same family—two seriously. The driver turned himself in and is in custody, though authorities do not believe the act was intentional.
Rioters torched cars, looted shops, and attacked police with fireworks and projectiles. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck by a firework. Bus shelters were smashed, and a Foot Locker store near the Champs-Élysées was among several locations ransacked. Paris police deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse violent crowds.
Despite the unrest, PSG held a celebratory victory parade on Sunday, drawing tens of thousands to the Champs-Élysées. An estimated 100,000 fans lined the streets as players rode an open-top bus toward the Arc de Triomphe. A second celebration took place at Parc des Princes, the club’s home ground.
President Macron—an Olympique de Marseille supporter—welcomed the team at the Élysée Palace. “A glorious day for PSG! Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe this evening,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
However, Macron also condemned the violence, calling it “unacceptable” and vowing that perpetrators would be punished. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau echoed his outrage, stating, “True PSG supporters are enjoying their team’s magnificent match. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke the police.”
The mass unrest unfolded just after Macron publicly reaffirmed his support for Palestinian statehood—an announcement that some commentators noted could have intensified tensions. Though there’s no direct evidence linking Macron’s statement to the riots, the timing has raised concerns.
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez stated that most of the violence came from “gangs of looters and vandals” who had no interest in the football match. “We will never get used to this kind of abuse,” he said, promising a firm response.
Paris had deployed 5,400 police in anticipation of unrest, but the scale of the disorder overwhelmed even this sizable force. Social media footage showed rioters hurling fireworks at police vans, sprinting across major roads, and lighting fires near the stadium.
As night gave way to day, Paris bore the scars of its dual identity—champion of Europe on the field, and city shaken by violence in the streets.
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