French police are thought to have clashed with Paris Saint-Germain fans ahead of their Champions League second-leg semi-final against Arsenal on Wednesday evening.
Security has been beefed up in the French capital ahead of the meeting, with 2,000 police officers on duty in a plan ‘tailored to the event’.
But home fans are believed to have encountered trouble in the build-up to kick-off, with the Sun reporting that police have used tear gas on the Parc des Princes faithful.
Videos have been circulating on social media of PSG fans tangling with police officers, with riot police keen to push back supporters and break up large crowds.
In one of the clips, fans were seen being charged by police officers as they sought to flee.
Some fans are seen covering their nose and mouths, with the caption alleging that tear gas had been fired into the crowds of supporters.
Paris Saint-Germain fans gathered in the French capital ahead of their semi-final vs Arsenal
Riot police were keen to break up large groups of supporters in the surrounding areas
Footage alleges that the police were using tear gas on supporters en route to Parc des Princes
Supporters were also charged by the riot police, with 2,000 officers in Paris to cover the event
Another video on social media came with the caption: ‘Entire streets are tear-gassed by the police ahead the Parc des Princes.
‘Parisian fans are getting the party started two hours before kick-off against Arsenal.’
In the video, one supporter is seen covering his face with a scarf, and another is filmed pouring water into his eyes.
Arsenal had previously warned travelling fans to stay ‘vigilant’ during their trip to Paris, after Premier League rivals Aston Villa’s supporters encountered fan trouble when drawn against the club earlier this season.
As part of Arsenal’s travel advice for fans travelling to the game, the club warned supporters to take ‘sensible precautions’, as well as strongly advising fans to avoid the Auteuil suburb of Paris.
Large numbers of home supporters are known to travel to the Parc des Princes through the area.
‘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,’ Arsenal advised fans.
‘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.
One fan (pictured bottom right) was seen pouring water into his eyes to wash them out
Arsenal fans had been warned to avoid the Auteuil area when heading to the stadium
Concerns were raised after PSG ultras clashed with Aston Villa supporters last month
‘Supporters are strongly advised not to use line 10 on the metro system which would result in supporters exiting the metro system in Auteuil.’
Last month, footage showed PSG fans clashing with Aston Villa supporters ahead of their quarter-final tie, including a chaotic scene outside a bar, where stools were being used as weapons and launched in all directions, and punches were also thrown.
Newcastle United supporters were also attacked by PSG ultras in November 2023, with footage showing fans attempting to blockade doors as flares and chairs were thrown.
But Arsenal fans wondered if the club wasn’t contradicting its own advice on Wednesday when it came to light that scarves in club colours were being handed out to travelling fans free with the receipt of their ticket.
‘Arsenal: be careful in Paris, don’t wear colours,’ one fan wrote. ‘Also Arsenal: here’s a free red and white scarf with our badge on it when you pick up your ticket.’
Fans had been pictured in the French capital wearing the scarves featuring an Arsenal badge
‘Maybe I’m missing something or just being daft in my old age,’ another fan said. ‘Arsenal had encouraged their fans not to wear club colours in Paris for the game.
‘The pick up point for their tickets is handing them a free red and white scarf when they collect. Really??’
Another wrote: ‘You’re putting a target on the backs of fans, handing out scarves over there. Paris can be a dangerous place if you aren’t a PSG fan on CL semi-final night.’
Arsenal will be attempting to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit in their Champions League semi-final against the French champions.
