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A MAJOR security operation with riot cops and a ring of steel is being mobilised for the final PSG vs Inter Milan Champions League showdown – but it is 500 miles away from the host city.
Security officials are on high alert as thousands of fans are expected to flock to Munich to witness the European football season’s epic climax.
AFP
AFP
Inter fans celebrate after a match winGetty
Getty
But a separate security operation will take place in Paris, where footie fans are equally charged up as they continue to cheer for their home team PSG.
The French capital will deploy 5,400 police officers for Saturday’s final game, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said.
Although the match will be held in Munich, a PSG victory would be expected to spark celebrations in the club’s home city, which could escalate into disturbances.
Just like the violent clashes that broke out in the streets of Paris several hours after the semi-final match between PSG and Arsenal.
To tackle this, police units will be deployed alongside “mobile gendarmes”, which are French mobile police units.
Many of the officers will be on the watch around the capital’s Champs-Élysées avenue, where fans are expected to take to the streets if their home team lifts the cup tomorrow.
Cops are expected to shut down the traffic near the venue, and constant camera surveillance will be activated.
Security will also be beefed up around Parc des Princes, PSG’s home stadium on the southwestern edge of the city, the Paris police chief added.
Nunez said: “We have a large network throughout the metropolitan area. So yes, a massive deployment in the capital and its metropolitan area with 5,400 personnel mobilised.
“We have called up personnel from the police headquarters, and the Minister of State has placed numerous mobile forces, CRS [riot police] and mobile gendarmes at my disposal. Everyone is on deck.”
Shocking footage from just hours after the PSG vs Arsenal match showed a car ploughing into a crowd of football fans before being torched.
The burning wreck of the vehicle can be seen on Rue Christophe-Colomb, close to the Champs-Elysées.
Young PSG supporters were seen confronting riot police.
There were reports that some targeted even shops and banks, leaving the windows smashed.
A Paris Police Prefecture spokesperson said at least “43 people were arrested during the PSG victory celebrations”, mainly for public order offences.
Meanwhile, cops in the host city of Munich are also bracing up for the high-stakes final game.
An increased police presence is expected throughout the city, with more than 2,000 special police officers deployed around key areas.
AFP
Getty
Reuters
GettyThis include the massive Allianz Arena stadium, where the match will take place and the Olympic Park, where thousands of fans will gather for a free public viewing.
A German police spokesperson said: “It is to be expected that high-risk individuals will be here. But we are well prepared.
“The Italian fans in particular have a certain potential. Therefore, the match has been assessed as a high-risk match.”
Units of Bavarian riot police will be deployed to tackle any chaos.
Hawk-eyed undercover cops will comb through the area while mobile and fixed barriers in different positions will be built throughout.
The barriers are designed to help prevent car rammings similar to the one witnessed in Liverpool last week during a Premier League victory parade, which left 79 people injured.
There has been a spate of violence in recent weeks surrounding big football matches.
Shocking scenes of violence erupted in Poland just hours before the Conference League final between Chelsea and Real Betis kicked off.
British and Spanish football fans were seen brawling in the streets, launching bottles and smoke grenades and even being pushed back by police water cannons.
The ugly scenes have kicked off mainly near the fanzone in Wroclaw – where the final was held – with riot police forced to defuse the violence.
Just hours before kickoff, the fighting spilt over when fans started kicking and throwing flares into each other’s camps.
AFP
AFP
Reuters
EPASoon, chairs were hurtling through the air as the fans squared up to each other before police, some armed with guns, came to separate them.
Cops were even forced to hurl powerful water cannons at Chelsea supporters, according to footage on social media.
Last week, Bilbao launched its biggest security operation to maintain law and order during the ultimate Spurs vs Manchester United showdown.
Spanish security officials were on high alert and had deployed a ring of steel to fortify the San Mames Stadium as brawls had broken out and streets had been rashed ahead of the final.
Shocking images showed Brit fans tearing down traffic lights, vomiting in the city’s streets and chucking bottles, vapes and cans around.
Local media reported that some footie fanatics have become “difficult to control”.
PSG and Inter Milan are both chasing the grandest prize in Europe, but only one of them can go home with the riches.
Luis Enrique’s side saw off Arsenal in the semi-final, having already knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa in the round of 16 and quarter-final respectively.
Simone Inzaghi managed one of the most thrilling ties of all-time against Barcelona, with the Italians knocking out the La Liga winners 7-6 on aggregate.
Champions League 2025 prize money
INTER and PSG are guaranteed to take home at least £15.9m, but the runner-up prize will not appeal to either of them.
For winning the competition, either of the pair could walk home with £21.9m
- Winner: £21.5m
- Runner-up: £15.9m
- Semi-finalist: £12.9m
- Quarter-finalist: £10.7m
- Round of 16: £9.4m
- League stage qualification: £1.7m
- League stage win: £1.8m
- League stage draw: £590,000
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