Riot police 'tear gas' fans in chaotic scenes ahead of PSG vs Arsenal showdown

Riot police have clashed with fans in Paris on Wednesday ahead of PSG and Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg showdown at the Parc des Princes

Daniel Marsh Senior Sports Reporter and Cameron Winstanley

19:55, 07 May 2025

[There have been clashes between riot police and fans ahead of PSG vs Arsenal]

Riot police clashed with fans in Paris(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Footage has emerged of riot police clashing with PSG supporters near the Parc des Princes ahead of the crunch Champions League semi-final second leg.

Tensions had been escalating in Paris before the huge showdown on Wednesday, which sees the Gunners aiming to come back from a 1-0 defeat from last week's first leg at the Emirates. However, violent clashes erupted between fans and police just hours before kick-off.

Social media was flooded with clips showing officers using tear gas and brandishing shields to drive back PSG supporters, with scenes of panicked fans sprinting away while shielding their faces with scarves.

One reporter claimed that "entire streets were tear-gassed by police" following the setting off of fireworks in the French capital.

Travelling Arsenal fans have been warned to stay alert throughout their stay in Paris for the big game, with concerns over clashes with PSG Ultras. Approximately 2,000 supporters have made the trip over the Channel to the Parc des Princes.

[Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters set off flares as they gather ahead of the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal, outside Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on May 7, 2025. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images) ]

PSG supporters let off fireworks in the French capital(Image: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT, AFP via Getty Images)

The north London club advised its fans to avoid the Auteuil area the notorious meeting spot for PSG Ultras.

A statement read: "Supporters are strongly advised to avoid the Auteuil suburb of Paris and should take note of this when travelling to the Parc des Princes on matchday.

Article continues below

[]

Don't miss a thing with football updates!

Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!

From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.

How do you sign up?

It only takes a matter of seconds.

Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.

You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here

"Street crime, including pickpocketing, can take place in Paris. Supporters are advised to be vigilant, take sensible precautions and ensure they have valid travel insurance.

"Supporters are strongly advised not to use line 10 on the metro system which would result in supporters exiting the metro system in Auteuil."

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.