Large-scale security operation in France ahead of Champions League final

Violence broke out in Paris after PSG's win over Inter in the 2025 Champions League final
Violence broke out in Paris after PSG's win over Inter in the 2025 Champions League finalMiddle East Images/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

Some 22,000 police officers will be deployed across France for the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal this weekend, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Wednesday.

PSG's 5-0 victory last year against Inter Milan in European football's showpiece competition saw violence, particularly on the Champs-Elysees and around the club's Parc des Princes stadium, where the match was shown live.

Nunez told online news site Brut that of the 22,000 officers on duty for Saturday's match, 8,000 would be in the French capital.

Last year also saw a huge policing operation, with 5,400 officers mobilised in the Paris metropolitan area. There were 563 arrests in France on the night, including 491 in Paris.

Another 79 people were arrested the following evening.

PSG, who won their fifth straight league title earlier this month, take on English champions Arsenal in Budapest.