Paris — French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin on Tuesday demanded tougher punishments for those convicted of violence against police officers, following a wave of unrest and vandalism that overshadowed celebrations after Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) historic Champions League triumph.
The weekend’s jubilations, sparked by PSG’s 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the European football final in Germany — the club’s first-ever win of Europe’s most prestigious club trophy — quickly descended into chaos in several French cities. Police detained hundreds of people amid clashes, car torchings, and other acts of violence.
Authorities reported 563 arrests on Saturday night alone, after more than 200 vehicles were set on fire and police confronted groups of youths engaged in disorderly conduct. The interior ministry said the violence marred the otherwise euphoric celebrations that swept across France following PSG’s emphatic win.
Tragically, the unrest also saw two deaths. In the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the chest during disturbances. In Paris, a 23-year-old man riding a scooter was struck and killed by a vehicle.
On Sunday night, police made a further 79 arrests related to incidents such as firing fireworks at law enforcement, attempts to vandalize shops, and blocking traffic.
The Paris prosecutor’s office revealed that some of the arrested individuals appeared in court on Monday. Three men in their early twenties were handed suspended sentences ranging from two to eight months, along with fines of €500 ($570).
Justice Minister Darmanin expressed dissatisfaction with the initial court rulings, describing the sentences as insufficient in light of the severity of the violence witnessed.
“Some of the sentences for violence – including against law enforcement officers and for destruction of property – are not proportional to the level of violence our country is experiencing,” he said on X, formerly Twitter. “The law needs to radically change.”
Darmanin, who has signaled interest in running for president in 2027, proposed ending the current system of reduced jail terms for sentences under six months, which often allow offenders to serve their time at home under electronic monitoring.
He also called for the abolition of suspended sentences in such cases, advocating instead for a “systematic minimum sentence.”
Specifically, Darmanin suggested a minimum jail term of three months for any assault against a representative of the state, or alternatively, very heavy fines for acts of destruction.
However, his call for tougher punishments faced criticism from some in the judiciary. Aurélien Martini, deputy secretary-general of the magistrates union, pointed to a previous trial of minimum sentencing between 2007 and 2014, stating that it “did not work.”
He warned that increasing prison terms was impractical given France’s overcrowded prisons, which currently hold over 83,600 inmates—far exceeding their capacity of approximately 62,500.
Socialist leader Olivier Faure also urged caution, emphasizing the need for judicial fairness and individualized assessments rather than reactionary measures based on “collective emotion.”
Meanwhile, right-wing politician Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region, voiced support for Darmanin’s stance, describing it as the “only hope for this violence, this ransacking to never happen again.”
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence as “unacceptable” during a ceremony at the Élysée Palace to receive the victorious PSG team on Sunday.
PSG’s squad, noted for its youthful composition, includes many players from the Paris suburbs—a region often associated with social challenges and unrest. The Champions League final captivated 11.5 million viewers across France, underscoring the match’s national significance.
As the country grapples with balancing celebration and security, the debate over sentencing and law enforcement responses to such public disorder remains deeply divisive.
