Paris: Unhappy with Champions League loss, PSG fans clash with police, set cars ablaze

While Bayern Munich celebrated their 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League final in Lisbon, the fans of the latter seem to have taken the loss to heart.

Dozens of fans clashed with French riot police on the Champs-Elysees on Sunday as they set vehicles on fire, broke windows and vandalised shops. According to police, 148 people were arrested during the night.

There were also incidents when riot police used tear gas to disperse fans gathered outside the club’s stadium. Rubbish bins were also seen burning as PSG fans marched down the famous promenade in huge numbers.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 16 police were injured, 12 shops attacked and about 15 vehicles damaged overnight. In a tweet on Sunday night, he condemned the "unacceptable" violence and thanked police who arrested "small violent groups, troublemakers."

 August 24, 2020

A dozen riot police in full gear even had to burst into a bar to remove people, as many were not seen wearing masks, or failing to keep social distancing amid coronavirus concerns. According to police, 404 people were stopped for not wearing masks as part of regulations. 

France is still gripped by the virus and with fans gathering at both the Champs-Elysees and PSG's home ground Parc des Princes despite Paris being declared a COVID-19 red zone caused havoc.