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PSG’s title celebrations turn ugly as fans riot

Paris Saint-Germain's title celebrations turned ugly on Monday when PSG fans clashed with riot police in the centre of the French capital. Missiles were thrown at police officers who responded with teargas. Fans also smashed store windows.

Published: 13 May 2013 21:09 CEST
PSG's title celebrations turn ugly as fans riot
Photo: AFP

PSG's celebrations after being crowned champions of Ligue 1 had to be cut short on Monday after fans clashed with riot police.

There were ugly scenes at Place Trocadero near the Eiffel Tower where thousands of fans had gathered to greet their victorious team.

The celebrations turned sour when fans, believed to be a group of ultras who were banned from the stadium, turned up and began throwing missiles at riot police and stewards.

"It was the fault of the ultras, we couldn't celebrate because of them," one fan told AFP.

Another, Alexandre, said: "The festival was ruined."

A police source reported: "There were numerous smoke bombs and objects thrown at the players' podium, and a strong surge by the crowd when the players got onto the podium.

"Police officers reinforced security around the podium which resulted in objects being thrown at the security forces."

Fans also took to Twitter to condemn the rioters.

One fan writing "Unbelievable. They have destroyed the Champs (Elysées) for football.

Another tweeted: "PSG shamed by these rioters who have stained the image of the most beautiful city in the world."

Officers responded with tear gas but could not gain control forcing PSG's players and club bosses to cut short the celebration ceremony.

There were reports of several injured fans being taken to hospital.

PSG's players were supposed to spend the night partying on a cruise boat on the river Seine but it was cancelled as trouble continued into the night.

French TV showed images of fans smashing the windows of designer stores in the nearby area like Louis Vuitton. There were also images of supermarkets being ransacked and bus stops and burned out bus stops and cars.

TV coverage captured fans being carried away on stretchers by first aid crews.

At one point fans appeared to rob the luggage compartment of a tourist bus which was obviously caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A spokesman for the police Alliance union told BFMTV that the forces of order had underestimated the potential for violence and had did not have enough officers on the streets.

The images which will be beamed around the world will do impress PSG's Qatari owners who are desperate to improve the club's global image.

The Paris club has a longstanding hooligan problem which has seen rival fan groups clashing basis on a regular before and after matches.

PSG : affrontements entre CRS et supporters… par ITELE

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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