The sentiment is clear: enough is enough. In a strongly worded statement released this Sunday morning, the Paris 8th arrondissement’s town hall formally requested a “zero gathering” policy for the Champs-Élysées. This urgent plea comes in direct response to the violent disturbances that marred Saturday night’s celebrations following PSG’s victory against Arsenal in the Champions League final.

The communiqué vividly described how, on Saturday evening, “the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and its surrounding areas ceased to be a place of celebration, transforming instead into an arena of urban guerrilla warfare.” The town hall further elaborated, stating that “since it is impossible to celebrate a match without descending into riotous behaviour, the only sensible response is a new approach: zero gathering.” This effectively means no more public assemblies on what is often referred to as the world’s most beautiful avenue.

Public authorities deemed ‘powerless’ in face of violence

Catherine Lécuyer, the LR Mayor of the 8th arrondissement, presented a damning assessment of the situation. She characterized the night’s outcome as an “indictment of public impotence,” detailing a litany of incidents including “multiple acts of violence against law enforcement, mortar fire directed at police officers and residences, burning rubbish bins and vehicles, damage to police cars, and widespread looting.” She continued, asserting, “We are no longer managing overflows; we are enduring them. The preventive strategy has reached its limits. The concept of ‘zero damage’ no longer holds against the violence of organized gangs who don’t even bother to masquerade as supporters.” The mayor expressed grave concerns, fearing the potential for “a fatal tragedy.” Her conclusion was stark: “Chaos cannot be contained; it must be eradicated.”

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez commented that the disturbances aligned with “the situation we had foreseen and therefore anticipated.” A total of 283 individuals were apprehended across Paris and its surrounding region. To maintain order, 8,000 police officers and gendarmes had been deployed.

Despite these troubling incidents, the scheduled celebration for the players’ return and the presentation of the Champions League trophy to the capital remains on track. This event is set to take place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, on the Champ-de-Mars, commencing at 4 PM this Sunday.