*Update*: Situation escalates in France after PSG victory – over 400 arrests

After the penalty shootout victory against Arsenal in Budapest, the situation in France has escalated. Le Monde reports of severe unrest in several French cities, driven by PSG supporters who took to the streets following the final triumph. The toll is devastating: over 400 people were arrested, as Tagesschau reports. Police registered 283 arrests alone in the greater Paris area.

Massive riots in French cities

The riots were marked by burning cars, barricades and projectiles. Der Spiegel documents that around 8,000 police officers were deployed nationwide to bring the situation under control. The situation escalated particularly sharply in the capital and its suburbs in the hours following the end of the match.

The final itself was closely contested on the pitch: after 120 minutes the score was 1:1, before PSG triumphed 4:3 in the penalty shootout. Die Zeit reports that the duel between defending champion PSG and FC Arsenal was one of the most intense matches of the season. For the Parisians, it is already their second consecutive Champions League title.

Security concerns at major events

The unrest raises questions about security at major events. Der Tagesspiegel documents that French authorities appeared overwhelmed by the situation, despite security measures having been put in place. There had already been clashes between supporters of both teams in Budapest on the night before the final.