PSG players were surprised by the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron’s wife at a ceremonial reception, which quickly became a viral video online. President Macron congratulated the team on winning their first Champions League title, highlighting the support of all France. However, the celebrations were marred by riots across France, with two deaths and hundreds of arrests, including clashes with police and vehicle arson. Media outlets across the political spectrum report on these events with different emphases, ranging from celebrating the sporting achievement to criticizing the riots and security failures.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the social context of the riots following PSG’s victory, highlighting issues of police violence, youth disenfranchisement, and the need for social reforms. They tend to celebrate the sporting achievement but criticize the state’s response to the unrest and call for addressing underlying social inequalities.
Center: Centrist media focus on balanced reporting, acknowledging both the historic sporting success of PSG and the unfortunate violence and chaos that followed. They highlight the official responses, including President Macron’s congratulations and the police efforts to restore order, emphasizing the importance of law and order alongside celebration.
Right: Right-leaning sources stress the lawlessness and disorder caused by the riots after PSG’s win, focusing on the failures of security forces and the need for stronger policing. They often criticize the government for not preventing the violence and frame the events as a breakdown of public order, while still recognizing the significance of PSG’s victory.
