Clashes erupt in Budapest ahead of Champions League final
Violent scenes erupted in central Budapest overnight as supporters of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain fought in the streets just hours before the Champions League final, reports BritPanorama.
Approximately 60 fans clashed on Kiraly Street in the city’s 7th district at around 00:20 on Saturday morning, with footage circulating on social media showing punches and kicks being exchanged.
Flares were ignited during the confrontation, bathing the street in red light as the brawl unfolded. Video clips captured bottles being hurled and groups charging at one another, with the sound of smashing glass audible alongside French voices.
Hungarian police have launched an investigation into gang violence following the disorder, with officers examining CCTV recordings to identify those responsible. “The BRFK 7th District Police Department has initiated proceedings against unknown perpetrators for the crime of gang violence, within the framework of which the camera recordings are also being analysed,” authorities stated.
The security operation surrounding Saturday’s final represents the largest single-day police deployment in Hungarian history, with close to 4,000 officers stationed across the capital. Deputy national police chief Zoltan Janos Kuczik confirmed preparations had been underway for more than a year, with the match classified as a high-risk event.
Four individuals were taken into custody in separate incidents on Friday ahead of the final. At approximately 4pm local time, a British supporter was arrested alongside two Portuguese men following an altercation at one of the entrances to the Champions Festival site. All three face charges of disorderly conduct.
Later that evening, around 11pm, a second British man was detained after climbing onto a parked vehicle and causing damage to it. The arrests came as authorities warned they would respond firmly to any behaviour threatening public order, with tens of thousands of ticketless supporters believed to have travelled to Budapest.
Major General Dr. Janos Zoltan Kuczik acknowledged the challenges posed by having supporters from both London and Paris converging on Budapest simultaneously, describing it as a significant risk that authorities were working to minimise. “We will take decisive action if we encounter any behaviour that disrupts public order,” he warned. The heightened security measures reflect concerns stemming from previous incidents involving PSG supporters.
As the match approaches, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, yet marred by the shadow of last night’s violence, a stark reminder of how football passions can ignite chaos.
