Violent riots after the Champions League final – chaos in Paris!

Violent riots after the Champions League final – chaos in Paris!

There were serious riots in Paris on the night of the Champions League final, which gave Paris Saint-Germain a triumphant victory. Rioters looted stores, smashed windows and set cars on fire as police tried to control the situation. A total of 294 people were arrested, French media and police reported. The violence was mainly concentrated on the Champs-Élysées, which the police eventually had to evacuate. There were also riots near Prinzenpark, where numerous football fans had gathered for the public viewing.

The police operation was difficult because the emergency services were fired at with fireworks. To stop the rioters, officers used tear gas. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau commented on the incidents and described the acts of violence as barbaric. He called on fans to behave respectfully.

Riots in Barcelona

A similar picture can be seen in Barcelona, ​​where violent riots also took place after FC Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League victory against Manchester United. Around 50,000 fans celebrated the victory, but the mood quickly turned sour when youths began throwing bottles and other objects at police officers. Over 130 people were injured, including 37 police officers. Ultimately, 84 people were arrested as the clashes lasted at least two hours and police used rubber bullets against the rioters.

These incidents highlight a worrying phenomenon: the connection between violence and drug use in football. According to a study by the German Institute for Addiction and Prevention Research, 52 percent of those surveyed reported experiences of violence in football. The willingness to use violence is particularly high in the ultra and hooligan scene. Almost a third of those surveyed use cannabis, 13 percent use cocaine and 10 percent use amphetamines.

Social challenges

Experts warn of the societal challenges resulting from these excesses of violence. Cologne police chief Uwe Jacob expressed outrage at the violence committed by fans against a bus carrying Union Berlin supporters. Stefan Becker, head of the Youth Addiction Counseling Center in Cologne, does not see the dynamics of violence as a specific problem in football, but rather as a reflection of society. The topic of fans and drugs will be discussed in workshops run by the Fan Projects Coordination Office in September.

Fan researcher Jonas Gabler emphasizes the need for a careful approach, as social workers in fan projects are often already overwhelmed with a variety of tasks. Overall, it is clear that there is a need for action in connection with football violence and drug use in order to counteract the increasing willingness to use violence.