Football hooligans “deprived” France of basking in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory to its fullest, said Emmanuel Macron, reports The Telegraph.
During PSG’s visit to the Élysée Palace on Sunday evening, the French president opened a 20-minute speech by condemning the looters and vandals who set fires to cars, smashed bus shelters and shopfronts, and lamented the deaths of two people overnight.
“Thank you for being here at the Élysée Palace, where this team belongs. We are in a moment of joy, but nothing can justify what has happened in the last few hours,” Mr Macron said.
“The events are unacceptable; they have deprived our compatriots of happiness. Two people are dead. The nation is in mourning. We will punish. We will be relentless. That’s not football.”
What was supposed to be a night of celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain’s win over Inter Milan in Munich Saturday, turned into a night of tragedy with the deaths of two young men.
Scenes of jubilant fans dancing and singing in the streets of Paris were interspersed with dramatic images of cars set ablaze, exploding fireworks, tear gas and tense clashes with police Saturday night. The Champs-Élysées alone drew an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 fans while clashes between police and fans outside the Parc des Princes were also tense.