Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of French professional soccer, which won the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League (UCL), held a large-scale welcome event in Paris, France, on the 31st local time. President Emmanuel Macron invited the squad to the Élysée Palace to congratulate them, but strongly criticized the violent unrest that broke out across France immediately after the victory as "unacceptable."
According to the French daily Le Monde, President Macron cited the squad's mental strength and unity as the driving force behind the victory and said it "gave great pride to all the French people." He also thanked Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the club owner, saying he "led the club to the top of Europe by investing with conviction over a long period." He added that he hopes the France national team will carry PSG's momentum into the North and Central America World Cup, which opens next month.
However, before his congratulatory speech, President Macron strongly criticized the violent unrest that erupted across France the previous night. He said, "Unacceptable violence occurred in Paris and several cities," adding, "This is neither soccer nor sport, and it is far from the values we cherish." He went on, "We will respond firmly to those involved," and said, "I do not want to see such scenes anymore."
In fact, immediately after PSG's win was sealed, arson attacks on vehicles, looting of shops and clashes with police occurred in many parts of France. Police arrested 592 people in Paris and the greater capital region alone, and 780 were detained nationwide. In the process, 57 police officers and gendarmes and 219 civilians were reported injured.
Meanwhile, the PSG squad held a parade hoisting the trophy at the Champ-de-Mars in central Paris, watched by about 100,000 fans. Later, at their home stadium Parc des Princes, concerts by several French singers followed with the squad in attendance.