The French capital laid on a hero’s welcome yesterday for Paris Saint-Germain players to mark their second straight Champions League title, amid bitter recriminations after hundreds of people were arrested and dozens of police hurt in a night of unrest across the country.
Tens of thousands of flag-waving fans took to the streets again to see the team parade from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to the Champ de Mars plaza in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
The team flew back from Budapest where they beat English Premier League champions Arsenal on Saturday night 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out. They were also received by President Emmanuel Macron before returning to their Parc des Princes stadium for a final encounter with fans.
A night of celebrations was blighted however by clashes between youths and police in Paris and other cities, cars set on fire and shops looted. The town hall for the Paris district that includes the Champs-Elysee, where tens of thousands went after the football victory, called for a ban on such gatherings.
“Paris, Paris” chanted supporters, as they filtered through security checkpoints to get spots near a stage where the players appeared. The “We Are the Champions” pop song blared out on speakers.
The streets were so packed that the team arrived more than an hour late at the Champs-de-Mars where they paraded on a red, white and blue tricolour carpet to the stage.
Giant screens showed replays of the penalty shootout that brought the trophy back to Paris.
“It was great, there was the stress of the penalty shootout but it was good stress in the end,” said Mirna Makima, a 39-year-old physiotherapist who travelled from Belgium for the celebrations.
PSG forward Ousmane Dembele promised fans gathered at the foot of the Eiffel Tower that the club would chase a third consecutive Champions League title next season, as supporters celebrated the city’s back-to-back European triumphs.
“Thanks to all of you for your support. We’ll be back next year with the third one,” Dembele addressed the crowd as they danced to Daft Punk’s “One More Time”, while the players showed off the trophy secured against Arsenal on Saturday.
The mood was relaxed after light showers gave way to sunshine, in contrast to scenes overnight when post-game violence across the capital left over 200 people injured and killed one.
Qatari club president Nasser al-Khelaifi urged fans to keep up the positive atmosphere.
“Celebrate calmly tonight. Protect our city, that’s very important,” he said.
Fan Mathias Oumraou told Reuters he had to be at the parade after what he called the best night of his life in Paris. Another supporter, Cheyenne Barbachou, said she could hardly believe the back-to-back win. “It’s incredible,” she said.
PSG’s winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named Champions League player of the season on Sunday by a UEFA panel of judges.
Kvaratskhelia was a constant menace in PSG’s defence of the title with ten goals and six assists from his 16 games.
