Authorities launch strict security clampdown ahead of historic PSG Champions League final
PSG, the City of Paris and the police prefecture release a joint statement to ensure peace and stability in the city ahead of the UCL final
The City of Paris, PSG, and the Paris Police Prefecture have issued a joint statement calling for calm and composure and have said that they will provide ample security to fans as the city gears up to cheer its local club, which is set to feature in a second consecutive UEFA Champions League final, a match against Arsenal set to be played at Budapest in Hungary. PSG won the previous edition of the tournament in the 2024-25 season, beating Internazionale Milano. The final is to be played in five days.
There have been several reports and speculations of potential unrest over the past several days, and the club and the city authorities are keen to mitigate any fear or untoward event that may dampen the spirit of the city and its residents, mere days before the biggest football match of the club calendar commences.
What did the statement say from PSG and the authorities?
The joint statement referred to the final as “a major moment for Paris, the residents of the greater Paris area, and all of France.” The authorities also said in the statement that they are “closely working together to organise this exceptional end of the day.” They wish to accommodate “as many people as possible to fully experience this final in the best possible conditions, in a spirit of responsibility, conviviality, and respect for everyone.”
The City of Paris is set to be decorated in the red and blue colours of PSG, and the Eiffel Tower will be illuminated in the same colours from May 29. 150 digital displays will broadcast messages from fans sent through the City of Paris’ website.
The press release (via Foot Mercato) also said that the city will see significant deployment of security personnel in a move intended to avoid any untoward incident, something which has happened before during celebrations by French fans and skirmishes with English ones. The suburbs of the city will be under strict vigil “to prevent any unrest or violence,” as said by the authorities. There will also be restrictions on traffic and transportation, including moving “dangerous objects”.
The home of PSG, Parc des Princes, is set to organise a giant broadcast of the final for 48,000 fans inside the stadium. 500 of this audience will be children invited from various football clubs in the city. There will also be, as said in the statement, an increase in cleaning and security personnel during the weekend.
The press release concluded with an appeal from the authorities directed towards the fans, as they said, “it is up to everyone to ensure that sport remains a celebration.”
