French authorities said 780 people were arrested across the country after celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League triumph turned violent overnight, leaving one person dead and hundreds injured.
The latest update comes as France prepares for another day of large public gatherings linked to PSG's historic European success.
Thousands of supporters flooded the streets of Paris and other cities after PSG's Champions League final victory in Budapest on Saturday night. However, celebrations were overshadowed by clashes between crowds and police, incidents of looting, and several serious injuries.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 57 members of the security forces were injured during the unrest. A total of 219 people were hurt across France, including eight who sustained serious injuries. Authorities also reported a growing use of fireworks directed at law enforcement personnel during the disturbances.
According to the Paris public prosecutor's office, a man in his twenties died after crashing his motocross bike into concrete barriers on an exit ramp of the Paris ring road. In a separate incident, another young man suffered serious injuries in a knife attack that investigators believe was linked to a robbery.
Officials said incidents of violence were recorded in 71 municipalities nationwide. Nunez added that thefts and looting were reported in around 15 cities. The 780 arrests marked a 32% increase compared with the celebrations following PSG's Champions League victory last year.
Why did the PSG celebrations turn violent?
French authorities had deployed around 22,000 police officers and security personnel across the country in anticipation of possible unrest. Despite the extensive security presence, clashes erupted in several locations as large crowds gathered to celebrate.
The mayor of Paris' 8th arrondissement, which includes the famous Champs-Élysées, called for a "zero gatherings" policy on the avenue after around 20,000 supporters converged there following the match. Local officials said the area stopped being a place of celebration and became the scene of what they described as urban violence.
However, Interior Minister Nunez rejected the proposal, arguing that such a measure would require a major redeployment of security resources.
With AFP inputs</