Rioting in Paris as PSG fans attack police on second day of disgraceful scenes

Riots erupted on the Champs Elysee on Sunday night as violence surrounding Paris St Germain's European Cup celebrations escalated into a second night.

Supporters clashed with police around the iconic avenue in the French capital on Sunday evening, while the PSG team participated in a victory parade following their triumph over Inter Milan in the Champions League.

"They are throwing everything they can at us," an officer at the scene reported, as tear gas and baton charges were deployed to regain control.

Gendarmes also utilised flash ball guns in an effort to disperse gang members armed with their own weapons, including long metal poles and bricks pilfered from construction sites. Videos captured cars trapped in the chaos, with terrified drivers advised to lock themselves inside their vehicles.

This followed the tragic loss of two lives amidst intense nationwide unrest after PSG clinched the title of European football champions for the first time in Munich, Germany, on Saturday night.

One of the most severe incidents occurred in Dax, in the south-west of France, where a 17 year old was stabbed in the stomach.

"He was part of a crowd celebrating the PSG win in a designated fanzone, and died from his wounds in hospital," said a local police spokesperson, without revealing the identity of the deceased. An investigation is currently underway, with CCTV footage being analysed to identify those responsible.

A man tragically lost his life in Paris on Saturday when his scooter collided with a car while he was celebrating the football victory.

In Coutances, Normandy, a police officer was gravely injured by a firecracker. The officer was put into an induced coma due to severe eye and head injuries and remained in intensive care as of Sunday morning.

The individual who fired the firework at him - seemingly intentionally - has not yet been identified, according to an investigative source. In Grenoble, eastern France, a car attempting 'a handbrake turn on a tram line' crashed into a young family of four, causing serious injuries.

Three of the injured, including two females, were still in intensive care on Sunday, while the unidentified driver of the car was held in custody.

A total of 294 individuals were arrested for football-related violence and looting in Paris. France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, labelled the troublemakers as 'barbarians'.

Responding to the chaos on X, Mr Retailleau stated: "True PSG fans are getting excited about their team's magnificent performance.

"Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement. I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses.

"I offer my support to the Police Prefect and all the police officers who are ensuring everyone's safety this evening. It is unacceptable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing."

A formidable barrier was erected around the Champs-Elysees, with major department stores and banks employing steel shutters to deter looters.

Over the weekend, PSG's official club shops on the Champs and at their stadium were also barricaded. Despite these measures, a Foot Locker sports store on Champs-Elysees was broken into, with numerous trainers stolen.

A Maisons du Monde furniture store on the nearby Avenue Wagram was also looted, according to a police spokesperson. Masked and hooded youths were spotted wandering the city in search of mischief.

Motorbikes and discarded mattresses were set ablaze, causing thick black smoke to billow into the night sky.

There were even reports of skirmishes near the Eiffel Tower, which was illuminated in PSG's red, white and blue following their 5-0 victory.

Approximately 5,400 police officers were deployed across Paris over the weekend, as disturbances were anticipated regardless of the match outcome.

PSG fans are increasingly notorious for hooliganism, with some attacking Arsenal and Aston Villa supporters during this year's Champion's League campaign.

Violence was also reported in Munich, where rival French and Italian fans clashed.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the PSG club president, called for peace on Sunday, as PSG participated in a victory parade in central Paris.