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Riots erupt in Paris as police use tear gas and baton charges

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Rioting erupted in Paris tonight following the city’s biggest football club losing the European Cup final.

Tear gas and baton charges were used by French police on thousands of Paris Saint Germain football fans following the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League game.

Despite France’s capital being a Coronavirus red zone, crowds had built up around the Parc de Princes, PSG’s home ground, and on the Champs Elysee.

Rioting erupted in Paris tonight following the city's biggest football club losing the European Cup final

Rioting erupted in Paris tonight following the city’s biggest football club losing the European Cup final

‘Trouble started before the final whistle,’ said a fan at the Parc des Princes. ‘Riot police were out in force, and they came under attack when PSG went one-nil down.’

As he spoke, scores of tear gas cannisters were aimed at fans, who fired red flares and fireworks back.

Videos posted on Twitter showed the concourse around the Parc looking and sounding like a war zone.

At one stage a white police vehicle was attacked by a small group of fans – prompting police to move in.

Riot police were also involved in skirmishes with gangs of youths in other parts of the city, including packed cafés, were arrests were made.

Tear gas and baton charges were used by French police on thousands of Paris Saint Germain football fans

Tear gas and baton charges were used by French police on thousands of Paris Saint Germain football fans

Videos posted on Twitter showed the concourse around the Parc looking and sounding like a war zone

Videos posted on Twitter showed the concourse around the Parc looking and sounding like a war zone

At one stage a white police vehicle was attacked by a small group of fans – prompting police to move in

At one stage a white police vehicle was attacked by a small group of fans – prompting police to move in

Fans had wandered onto busy roads waving flags and scarves, and forcing the traffic to stop.

Large crowds also appeared at the PSG home ground – Parc des Princes in the west of the City.

Paris has introduced some of the strictest Covid-19 measures in Europe in recent days, including making masks obligatory in many public spaces.

There has been a spike in cases of the respiratory disease across France, meaning it is now on Britain’s quarantine list, meaning anyone coming back to the UK from the country has to self-isolate for 14 days.

Despite this, thousands of PSG fans were on the street, and there were 3000 police and gendarmes trying to keep order.

The game had been played behind closed doors in Lisbon because of the pandemic, meaning millions watching around the world on television.

Paris Saint-Germain fans gathered in their numbers in the French capital as the club chased the first ever Champions League triumph in their history against Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Hoards of fans have been pictured gathered outside the club’s Parc des Princes stadium on Sunday, with flares set off, flags on display and loud drums being played by the French champion’s ultras.

Paris Saint-Germain fans have gathered outside the Parc des Princes stadium on Sunday

Paris Saint-Germain fans have gathered outside the Parc des Princes stadium on Sunday

The French outfit are in their first ever Champions League final and looking for their first win

The French outfit are in their first ever Champions League final and looking for their first win

The French club's ultras gathered in huge numbers outside the ground for the big game

The French club’s ultras gathered in huge numbers outside the ground for the big game

Meanwhile, 5,000 supporters were allowed to watch the game from inside the club's ground

Meanwhile, 5,000 supporters were allowed to watch the game from inside the club’s ground

France covid figures

Cases: 243,000

Deaths: 30,513

Cases per 100,000: 59.8

Football is being played behind closed doors due to the increased risk of the spread of the deadly disease, and the images of fans grouped together outside the ground may provide cause for concern, with France having the fourth-highest infection rate across Europe at the time of writing.

5,000 supporters were also allowed to watch the game inside the stadium during the momentous occasion on Sunday, with pictures showing that most fans were close together to watch the game.

Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Co. are looking to guide the French outfit to their first Champions League triumph in the club’s history as they take on Bayern Munich.

The Ligue 1 champions looked strong in the mini-tournament in Lisbon, seeing off Atalanta and RB Leipzig to reach the competition’s final for the first time.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, have been in tremendous form in Europe this season, and were excellent when they beat Barcelona 8-2 in the quarter finals last week.

Fireworks are let off in the build up to the European final on Sunday evening, played in Lisbon

Fireworks are let off in the build up to the European final on Sunday evening, played in Lisbon

Two Paris-Saint Germain fans are pictured wearing face masks ahead of the mammoth game

Two Paris-Saint Germain fans are pictured wearing face masks ahead of the mammoth game

Flags were waved, drums were played and flares were set off by the club's ultras

Flags were waved, drums were played and flares were set off by the club’s ultras

One fan poses for a selfie with his flag as masses of fans gathered outside the stadium

One fan poses for a selfie with his flag as masses of fans gathered outside the stadium

Fans gather outside the Parc des Princes as anticipation built for the Champions League final

Fans gather outside the Parc des Princes as anticipation built for the Champions League final

French anti-riot policemen stand on guard near the Arc de Triomphe amid the mass gatherings

French anti-riot policemen stand on guard near the Arc de Triomphe amid the mass gatherings

France currently has the fourth-highest coronavirus infection rate across Europe

France currently has the fourth-highest coronavirus infection rate across Europe

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