Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has decided against setting up a fan zone in the city for the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal on May 30. The move follows strong reservations from police authorities and an already strained security environment.
Emmanuel Grégoire abandoned his initial plan to create a free public viewing area after a meeting with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Before the discussion, the mayor acknowledged the police department’s concerns, which had publicly opposed the project. “This isn’t the right moment,” he admitted during a press briefing.
The capital is set to host multiple high-profile events on the same day, including concerts by Aya Nakamura at Stade de France, Damso at La Défense Arena, and Bouss at Accor Arena. These gatherings will require a significant deployment of law enforcement, further complicating security arrangements.
127 arrests in Paris region after Champions League semifinal
The only planned public viewing will take place at Parc des Princes, which will also demand extensive police resources. Despite the setback, Grégoire reaffirmed his commitment to organizing future free public events in Paris, emphasizing their cultural and social importance.
After the PSG’s semifinal victory over Bayern Munich, 127 people were detained in the Paris metropolitan area. Eleven individuals were injured, one critically, while 23 police officers sustained minor injuries. Last year, over 500 arrests were recorded following PSG’s Champions League win, as celebrations turned violent in Paris and other regions.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had previously criticized Grégoire’s unilateral announcement about the fan zone after the team’s final qualification. Criticizing the mayor’s reversal, opposition councilor Eric Schahl highlighted the lack of prior consultation with local district officials.
