Latest news with #Retailleau
Irish Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Armed police clash with PSG fans as chaos continues in Paris
Rioting erupted on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday night as violence surrounding Paris Saint-Germain's European Cup celebrations spilled into a second consecutive night. Clashes broke out between fans and police along the iconic Parisian avenue, where the PSG squad was holding a victory parade after defeating Inter Milan in the Champions League final. 'They're throwing everything they can at us,' said one officer on the scene, as authorities deployed tear gas and baton charges in an effort to regain control. Gendarmes also fired flash ball guns to disperse groups of gang members reportedly armed with weapons, including long metal rods and bricks taken from nearby construction sites. Videos from the scene captured cars caught in the chaos, with panicked drivers instructed to lock themselves inside their vehicles for safety. It followed two people losing their lives during intense nationwide violence following PSG being crowned European football champions for the first time in Munich, Germany, on Saturday night. One of the worst incidents took place in Dax, in the south-west of France, where a 17-year-old was knifed in the stomach. "He was part of a crowd celebrating the PSG win in designated fanzone, and died from his wounds in hospital' said a local police spokesman, without naming the deceased. An investigation is underway, and CCTV is being used to try and find those responsible.' A man was also killed when his scooter collided with a car in Paris on Saturday, after the victim was seen celebrating the football win. A police officer was seriously injured by a firecracker in Coutances, Normandy. He was placed in an induced coma, with a very serious eye and head injury, and was still in intensive care on Sunday morning. The person who shot the firework at him – apparently deliberately – has not yet been idenfified, said an investigating source. In Grenoble, in eastern France, a car attempting 'a handbrake turn on a tram line' ploughed into a young family of four, severely wounding them. Three of those hurt, two of them female, were still in intensive care on Sunday, as the unidentified car driver remained in custody. A total of 294 people were arrested for football-related violence and looting in Paris as France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, described trouble makers as 'barbarians'. Reacting to the disorder on X, Mr Retailleau said: 'True PSG fans are getting excited about their team's magnificent performance. 'Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement. I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses. 'I offer my support to the Police Prefect and all the police officers who are ensuring everyone's safety this evening. It is unacceptable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.' A ring of steel had been created around the Champs-Élysées, with major department stores and banks using steel shutters to try and keep looters away. PSG's official club shops on the Champs, and at their ground, were also barricaded over the weekend. Despite this, a Foot Locker sports store on Champs-Élysées was broken into, and goods including multiple trainers stolen. A Maisons du Monde furniture store on the nearby Avenue Wagram was also looted, said a police spokesman. Youths wearing masks and hoodies were meanwhile seen roaming around the city looking for trouble. Motorbikes and discared mattresses were set alight, sending thick black smoke billowing through the night sky. There was even fighting reported around the Eiffel Tower, which was lit up in PSG's red, white and blue following their 5-0 win. Around 5,400 police officers were on duty across Paris at the weekend, as trouble was always expected, whatever the result. PSG fans have an increasingly bad reputation for hooliganism, and some attacked fans from Arsenal and Aston Villa during this year's Champion's League campaign. There was also trouble reported in Munich, where rival French and Italian fans fought each other. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the PSG club president, appealed for calm on Sunday, as PSG took part in a victory parade in central Paris.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Armed riot police clash with PSG fans in Champions League trophy parade chaos
Paris Saint-Germain fans clashed with riot police on the second day of clashes in the French capital after PSG won the Champions League for the first time on Saturday night Rioting broke out on the Champs Elysee on Sunday night as violence around Paris St Germain's European Cup celebrations entered a second night. Fans attacked police around the most famous avenue in the French capital on Sunday evening, as the PSG team took part in a victory parade following their victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League. "They are throwing everything they can at us," said an officer at the scene, as tear gas and baton charges were used to try and restore order. Flash ball guns were also used by gendarmes, in an attempt disperse gang members carrying weapons of their own, including long metal poles and bricks stolen from building sites. Videos showed cars getting caught in the crossfire, as terrified drivers were told to lock themselves in their vehicles. It followed two people losing their lives during intense nationwide violence following PSG being crowned European football champions for the first time in Munich, Germany, on Saturday night. One of the worst incidents took place in Dax, in the south-west of France, where a 17-year-old was knifed in the stomach. "He was part of a crowd celebrating the PSG win in designated fanzone, and died from his wounds in hospital' said a local police spokesman, without naming the deceased. An investigation is underway, and CCTV is being used to try and find those responsible.' A man was also killed when his scooter collided with a car in Paris on Saturday, after the victim was seen celebrating the football win. A police officer was seriously injured by a firecracker in Coutances, Normandy. He was placed in an induced coma, with a very serious eye and head injury, and was still in intensive care on Sunday morning. The person who shot the firework at him – apparently deliberately – has not yet been idenfified, said an investigating source. In Grenoble, in eastern France, a car attempting 'a handbrake turn on a tram line' ploughed into a young family of four, severely wounding them. Three of those hurt, two of them female, were still in intensive care on Sunday, as the unidentified car driver remained in custody. A total of 294 people were arrested for football-related violence and looting in Paris as France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, described trouble makers as 'barbarians'. Reacting to the disorder on X, Mr Retailleau said: 'True PSG fans are getting excited about their team's magnificent performance. 'Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement. I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses. 'I offer my support to the Police Prefect and all the police officers who are ensuring everyone's safety this evening. It is unacceptable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.' A ring of steel had been created around the Champs-Élysées, with major department stores and banks using steel shutters to try and keep looters away. PSG's official club shops on the Champs, and at their ground, were also barricaded over the weekend. Despite this, a Foot Locker sports store on Champs-Élysées was broken into, and goods including multiple trainers stolen. A Maisons du Monde furniture store on the nearby Avenue Wagram was also looted, said a police spokesman. Youths wearing masks and hoodies were meanwhile seen roaming around the city looking for trouble. Motorbikes and discared mattresses were set alight, sending thick black smoke billowing through the night sky. There was even fighting reported around the Eiffel Tower, which was lit up in PSG's red, white and blue following their 5-0 win. Around 5,400 police officers were on duty across Paris at the weekend, as trouble was always expected, whatever the result. PSG fans have an increasingly bad reputation for hooliganism, and some attacked fans from Arsenal and Aston Villa during this year's Champion's League campaign. There was also trouble reported in Munich, where rival French and Italian fans fought each other. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the PSG club president, appealed for calm on Sunday, as PSG took part in a victory parade in central Paris.
Saudi Gazette
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
French interior minister slammed for calling PSG fans 'barbarians' after Champions League victory
PARIS — French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is facing sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers and civil rights advocates after referring to Paris Saint-Germain supporters as 'barbarians' in the wake of their UEFA Champions League victory celebrations. PSG defeated Italy's Inter Milan 5–0 in the final, prompting street celebrations across France that saw moments of unrest. According to the Paris Police Department, 131 individuals were taken into custody nationwide. Authorities reported incidents including two cars set ablaze, a store looted, and three pedestrians injured in Grenoble after a vehicle plowed into a crowd. In a post on X, Retailleau stated that while 'true fans enjoyed the match,' others 'took to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement.' He instructed police to respond 'firmly' and condemned 'the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.' His language quickly drew rebuke from the left-wing opposition. Antoine Léaument of the France Unbowed party criticized police for deploying tear gas near the Madeleine metro station and accused the minister of escalating tensions. 'The barbarian is at Beauvau,' he wrote, referencing the Interior Ministry's location. Lawmaker Alexis Corbière also condemned the rhetoric, questioning Retailleau's use of the terms 'barbarian' and 'savage,' which he said 'imply foreignness and dehumanization.' He added, 'Even when people are happy, this man is full of hatred." Thomas Portes, also with France Unbowed, directly accused Retailleau of racism, stating: 'The word 'barbarian' has no place coming from the mouth of the Interior Minister. Bruno Retailleau confirms tonight that he is a racist Interior Minister.' Retailleau has not responded to the criticism. — Agencies
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Paris Holocaust memorial, synagogues vandalised
PARIS: France's Holocaust memorial and three Paris synagogues and a restaurant were vandalised with paint overnight Saturday, in what the Israeli embassy denounced as a 'coordinated anti-Semitic attack'. An investigation has been opened into 'damage committed on grounds of religion', the Paris public prosecutor's office said. No arrests have been made. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said he was 'deeply disgusted by these heinous acts targeting the Jewish community,' in a post on X. Retailleau had called last week for 'visible and dissuasive' security measures at Jewish-linked sites amid concerns over possible anti-Semitic acts during the conflict between Israel and the Hamas-run Gaza territory. The Israeli embassy in France said it was 'horrified by the coordinated anti-Semitic attack', adding that recent tensions with some French officials were contributing to a 'problematic discord'. 'We stand with the Jewish community and have full confidence in the French authorities, who will identify and bring the perpetrators to justice,' the embassy said in a statement. 'At the same time, we cannot ignore the problematic discord seen over the past two weeks among certain leaders and officials,' it added. 'Words matter, and the current discord against the Jewish state is not without consequences, not only for Israel but also for Jewish communities around the world,' it said. Israeli's President Isaac Herzog said Saturday he was 'dismayed' by the Paris vandalism, noting that his great-grandfather had been a rabbi at one of the synagogues. 'I call on the French authorities to act rapidly and forcefully to bring these people to justice,' Herzog said in a statement. - 'Particularly vulnerable' - The row comes amid growing concern in France over anti-Semitic incidents. In a separate message seen by AFP, the interior minister on Friday ordered heightened surveillance ahead of the coming Jewish Shavuot holiday. 'Anti-Semitic acts account for more than 60 percent of anti-religious acts, and the Jewish community is particularly vulnerable,' Retailleau said in the message seen by AFP. The French Jewish community, one of the largest in the world, has for months been on edge in the face of a growing number of attacks and desecrations of memorials since the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023. 'There is deep sadness and outrage... at the sight of these images showing vandalised Jewish sites,' said Yonathan Arfi, head of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF). Paris authorities plan to lodge a complaint over the paint incident, said the city's mayor, Anne Hidalgo. 'I condemn these acts of intimidation in the strongest possible terms. Anti-Semitism has no place in our city or in our Republic,' she said. Last year, France registered 1,570 anti-Semitic acts, according to interior ministry figures, over three times more than the 436 recorded in 2022. Since 2012 they have fluctuated between 311 and 851 per year. Several EU nations have reported a spike in 'anti-Muslim hatred' and 'anti-Semitism' since the start of the Gaza war, according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. In May 2024, graffiti of red hands was painted beneath the wall at the memorial in central Paris honouring people who saved Jews from persecution during the 1940-44 Nazi occupation of France.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Paris Holocaust memorial, 3 synagogues vandalised
France's Holocaust memorial and three Paris synagogues and a restaurant were vandalised with paint overnight Saturday, in what the Israeli embassy denounced as a "coordinated anti-Semitic attack". An investigation has been opened into "damage committed on grounds of religion", the Paris public prosecutor's office said. No arrests have been made. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said he was "deeply disgusted by these heinous acts targeting the Jewish community," in a post on X. Retailleau had called last week for "visible and dissuasive" security measures at Jewish-linked sites amid concerns over possible anti-Semitic acts during the conflict between Israel and the Hamas-run Gaza territory. The Israeli embassy in France said it was "horrified by the coordinated anti-Semitic attack", adding that recent tensions with some French officials were contributing to a "problematic discord". "We stand with the Jewish community and have full confidence in the French authorities, who will identify and bring the perpetrators to justice," the embassy said in a statement. "At the same time, we cannot ignore the problematic discord seen over the past two weeks among certain leaders and officials," it added. "Words matter, and the current discord against the Jewish state is not without consequences, not only for Israel but also for Jewish communities around the world," it said. Israeli's President Isaac Herzog said Saturday he was "dismayed" by the Paris vandalism, noting that his great-grandfather had been a rabbi at one of the synagogues. "I call on the French authorities to act rapidly and forcefully to bring these people to justice," Herzog said in a statement. The row comes amid growing concern in France over anti-Semitic incidents. In a separate message seen by AFP, the interior minister on Friday ordered heightened surveillance ahead of the coming Jewish Shavuot holiday. "Anti-Semitic acts account for more than 60 percent of anti-religious acts, and the Jewish community is particularly vulnerable," Retailleau said in the message seen by AFP. The French Jewish community, one of the largest in the world, has for months been on edge in the face of a growing number of attacks and desecrations of memorials since the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023. "There is deep sadness and outrage... at the sight of these images showing vandalised Jewish sites," said Yonathan Arfi, head of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF). Paris authorities plan to lodge a complaint over the paint incident, said the city's mayor, Anne Hidalgo. "I condemn these acts of intimidation in the strongest possible terms. Anti-Semitism has no place in our city or in our Republic," she said. Last year, France registered 1,570 anti-Semitic acts, according to interior ministry figures, over three times more than the 436 recorded in 2022. Since 2012 they have fluctuated between 311 and 851 per year. Several EU nations have reported a spike in "anti-Muslim hatred" and "anti-Semitism" since the start of the Gaza war, according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. In May 2024, graffiti of red hands was painted beneath the wall at the memorial in central Paris honouring people who saved Jews from persecution during the 1940-44 Nazi occupation of France.
