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

“Saturday night (…) the avenue des Champs-Élysées and its surrounding areas ceased to be a place of celebration and transformed into an arena of urban guerrilla warfare,” the mayor’s office elaborated. Consequently, “since it is impossible to celebrate a match without descending into chaos, the only logical response is a new approach: zero gatherings.” This effectively means an end to all public assemblies on the world’s most beautiful avenue.

“Public impotence” in the face of violence

Catherine Lécuyer, the LR mayor of the 8th arrondissement, presented a stark assessment, describing the night’s outcome as “an indictment of public impotence.” She highlighted “multiple acts of violence against law enforcement, mortar fire directed at police officers and residences, burning trash bins and vehicles, damage to police cars, and numerous instances of looting.” Lécuyer continued, stating, “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 aggression of organized gangs who don’t even bother to disguise themselves as supporters.” The mayor’s office expressed grave concerns, fearing “a deadly tragedy,” and concluded, “You don’t channel chaos; you eradicate it.”

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez affirmed that the disturbances aligned with “the situation we had foreseen and thus anticipated.” A total of 283 individuals were apprehended in Paris and its surrounding region. Approximately 8,000 police and gendarmes had been deployed to maintain order throughout the evening.

Despite these troubling incidents, the scheduled celebration for the victorious PSG players and the Champions League trophy’s return to the capital remains on course. This event is set to take place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, on the Champ-de-Mars, commencing at 4 PM this Sunday.