Macron Condemns Violence Following PSG Victory
At a celebration for Paris Saint-Germain, who recently claimed victory in the Champions League, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his dismay over the “unacceptable scenes of violence” that erupted nationwide after the match on Saturday.
PSG’s triumphant moment was overshadowed by significant unrest, with mobs of young individuals engaging in rioting, setting fires, and clashing with law enforcement across various cities in France.
On a chaotic night described by a major French newspaper as resembling a “bad remake” of Clockwork Orange, approximately 780 individuals were detained, around 219 were injured, including eight in serious condition, and tragically, one young man’s life was lost amidst the looting that occurred in at least 15 cities.
While commending PSG’s victorious team at the Elysée Palace, Macron took a moment to denounce the disruptive behavior of the rioters. “I don’t want us to get used to situations like this. Last night, we witnessed disturbing violence in Paris and other cities for a significant part of the night,” he stated, as reported by Le Parisien.
He added, “I would like to extend my gratitude to the interior minister, law enforcement, and all those who responded in the Paris region and beyond in the face of this unconscionable situation. This is not football, this is not sport; this is not what we cherish. Thank you to our police officers. We will not make compromises with those who break the law. We’ve had enough. It’s time to put an end to this.”
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the government’s actions, asserting that the situation was largely “under control” and labeling France as a nation with a strong command of public order.
However, some commentators pointed to the multicultural dimensions of the riots, suggesting that they were reflective of a larger issue regarding immigration policies. Eric Zemmour, a former presidential candidate, remarked, “Every time PSG wins, we see the same outcome. Major celebrations in this country consistently lead to similar results.” He emphasized the need to address the root causes of such unrest rather than merely increasing police presence.
Bruno Retailleau, another political figure, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that mass immigration contributed to declining respect for the law. He proposed the deployment of facial recognition technology to identify rioters and hold them accountable financially, stating, “We must take decisive actions against those who turn gatherings into chaos.”
