PSG players will parade on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday if they win the Champions League

The club insisted, and it won. If Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) wins the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, May 31, its players will be able to parade on the Champs-Élysées the following day, Agence France-Presse (AFP) announced on Wednesday, May 28. Saturday evening, starting at 7 p.m., the Parisian avenue will be closed to traffic in anticipation of a possible influx of PSG supporters.

"Initially, we were not in favor of a parade because the shopkeepers are afraid of overflows," Jeanne d'Hauteserre (Les Républicains), the mayor of the ^8th arrondissement, where the prestigious avenue is located, explained to AFP after a meeting with the Paris Police Prefecture on Wednesday morning. "But , "It is a fact that, at the request of PSG and with the approval of the Elysée, there will be a parade in the event of victory, between the Champs-Elysées roundabout and the Arc de Triomphe," the elected official continues.

"We will protect the shopkeepers," the mayor added. Barriers will be installed on both sides of the Champs-Élysées. According to her, Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez plans to put in place "all the measures" used during the December 31st festivities, which typically bring together around 1.2 million people on the avenue.

On the night of May 7-8, after the club's qualification for the Champions League final against Arsenal, the Champs-Élysées had already been the scene of scenes of jubilation. But this gathering had degenerated: at least 45 people were arrested. Three people were injured, including a minor seriously, after being hit by a car. According to the Police Prefecture, the vehicle had been "immobilized by the density of supporters" on a street perpendicular to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

After hitting pedestrians, the driver and a passenger "fled on foot, abandoning their car to the anger of the crowd" ; the vehicle was set on fire and completely destroyed . Images of these clashes were widely shared on social media. Vehicles and three shop fronts were also damaged during the evening.

On Saturday, for the final, no free fan zones will be set up in the capital. Instead, a giant screen will be broadcast at the Parc des Princes, PSG's usual stadium, with a paid entrance fee. A large police force is expected to be deployed in the capital, with more personnel than during the semi-final.

Outside Paris, several free fan zones are planned, primarily in Seine-Saint-Denis. The city of Aulnay-sous-Bois has planned two, supervised by private security services and the municipal police, while Noisy-le-Grand will host one with a capacity of 5,000 to 8,000 people, according to municipal services.

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