French PM rules out cancelling PSG vs Barcelona UCL clash due to ongoing riots
The French prime minister has ruled out cancelling Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona, despite escalating unrest across the country and growing scrutiny of the authorities’ handling of the violence, Reuters reported.
The two sides are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 21, with the fixture set to go ahead as planned. The government’s position comes as French authorities face questions over public order after Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted that police had lost control of the situation in some major cities.
The unrest followed nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. More than half a million people took to the streets on Saturday, with most protests remaining peaceful before smaller groups set fires and looted businesses across Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities.
According to an Agence France-Presse report published by India Today, more than 2,500 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 security personnel were injured during the violence. Nunez acknowledged shortcomings in the police response, while President Emmanuel Macron rejected the interior minister’s resignation and ordered a review of security and intelligence failures.
The scale of the unrest has put pressure on the French government to restore order, although officials have indicated that the disruption will not affect the scheduled European fixture between PSG and Barcelona.
The match is among the high-profile fixtures on the Champions League calendar, and the government’s stance signals that it has no plans to alter the schedule despite continuing concerns over public safety.
MARSEILLE, LILLE STORES LOOTED
The unrest has also affected French football clubs away from the pitch, with Ligue 1 sides Marseille and Lille reporting damage to their official stores.
Marseille said looters caused significant damage to its shop on La Canebiere, one of the port city’s best-known avenues. The store has been temporarily closed following the incident.
Lille, meanwhile, reported extensive damage and widespread looting at its city-centre outlet. The club said the shop would remain closed until further notice.
Lille also thanked its store employees and members of the public who offered assistance in the aftermath, including passersby who provided practical help and comfort.
The damage to the two clubs’ retail outlets highlights the wider impact of the unrest on French football, even as the government maintains that the PSG-Barcelona Champions League clash will proceed as scheduled.
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