Riot police were deployed on the streets of Paris on Tuesday evening after violent clashes erupted between supporters of Paris Saint-Germain and Italian side Atalanta ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final.
The pre-match atmosphere turned sour as groups of fans clashed near the Parc des Princes stadium, forcing authorities to intervene. According to reports, several individuals were arrested as police worked to disperse the crowds and restore order.
The trouble is said to have begun when a group of Atalanta fans, who had travelled to the French capital for the historic match, were confronted by local PSG supporters. The situation quickly escalated, leading to scuffles and requiring a significant police presence.
This incident casts a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory occasion for Atalanta, who are competing in the latter stages of Europe's elite competition for the first time in their history. The club, from the city of Bergamo, has become a sentimental favourite after its incredible run this season and its representation of a region hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
UEFA will likely be monitoring the situation closely, as European football's governing body has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards crowd violence and disorder. Any further incidents could have implications for both clubs involved.
The match itself proceeded as planned later in the evening, with the focus returning to the pitch after the unsavoury scenes outside the stadium.
