Paris descends into chaos as police arrest nearly 300 after Paris Saint-Germains Champions League win

Paris erupted with flares and fireworks, car horns and an Eiffel Tower glittering in blue and red to celebrate Paris Saint-Germain’s first Champions League title on Saturday.The final in Munich was watched all over Paris — including inside PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, which beamed the match on a giant screen — and Inter Milan getting blown away 5-0 prompted flashpoints and some arrests even during the game.Outside the stadium, there was a brief altercation during the first half between celebrating PSG fans cracking off flares, and riot police who used tear gas to disperse them.At the top of the Champs-Élysées avenue, a water cannon was used to protect the Place de l’Étoile, near the landmark Arc de Triomphe.Police said a large crowd not watching the match tried to push through a barrier to make contact with police.By 2 a.m.Sunday, a total of 294 arrests had been made, including 30 who broke into a shoe shop on the Champs-Élysées.

Two cars were set alight close to Parc des Princes, police added.Mindful of any celebrations getting out of hand, as has often been the case in Paris during high-profile soccer matches, PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé urged fans after the final to show restraint amid their euphoria.“Let’s celebrate but without breaking everything in Paris,” he told broadcaster Canal Plus.It was hoped PSG’s rout of seasoned campaigner Inter — a three-time Champions League winner — would grab the headlines.“I don’t have words,” said 19-year-old PSG forward Désiré Doué, who scored twice and set up one goal in a mesmerising performance.“But what I can say is ‘Thank you Paris,’ we did it.”At the Place de la Bastille, there were joyous scenes as fans climbed onto the base of the famous column, singing, dancing and letting off flares, while those around joined in.At one point, motorbikes loudly revved their engines and the crowd cheered as they did laps around the column.

There were no police nearby and, by 1 a.m., ...