Enough is enough. In a strongly worded statement released this Sunday morning, the municipal office of the 8th arrondissement in Paris has called for a “zero gathering” policy on the Champs-Élysées. This urgent demand comes in response to the violent incidents that marred Saturday night’s celebrations following PSG’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal.

“Saturday evening (…) the Champs-Élysées avenue and its surrounding areas ceased to be a place of celebration, transforming instead into an arena of urban guerrilla warfare,” the local authority explained. Therefore, “since it’s impossible to celebrate a match without descending into riotous behaviour, the only sensible solution is a new approach: zero gatherings.” In essence, this means no more public assemblies on what is often referred to as the world’s most beautiful avenue.

‘public impotence’ in the face of violence

Catherine Lécuyer, the mayor of the 8th arrondissement, offered a harsh assessment of the night’s events. She described the outcome as “an indictment of public impotence,” citing “multiple acts of violence against law enforcement, mortar fire directed at police officers and residences, burning bins and cars, damage to police vehicles, and numerous instances of looting.” She further stated, “We are no longer managing overflows; we are enduring them. The preventive strategy has reached its limits. The concept of ‘zero damage’ no longer holds against the violence of organized gangs who don’t even bother to disguise themselves as supporters,” the mayor emphasized, expressing fears of a “fatal tragedy.” Her conclusion was resolute: “You don’t canalize chaos; you eradicate it.”

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez commented that the disturbances aligned with “the situation we had anticipated and therefore prepared for.” A total of 283 individuals were apprehended across Paris and its surrounding region. Approximately 8,000 police and gendarmes had been deployed to maintain public order.

Despite these disturbances, the planned celebration for the return of the players and the Champions League trophy to the capital is still scheduled. It will proceed at the base of the Eiffel Tower, on the Champ-de-Mars, starting at 4 PM this Sunday.