Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Echoes of several explosions heard in central occupied territories
United States: A federal judge temporarily blocks President Donald Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland

French minister under fire over 'barbarians' remark after PSG CL win

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Jun 2025 17:02
3 Min Read

Bruno Retailleau faces backlash after calling PSG supporters "barbarians" following celebrations of their Champions League victory.

Listen
  • x
  • PSG
    Youths clash with police forces after the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Elysee Palace in Paris (AP)

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is facing backlash after referring to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters as “barbarians” in the aftermath of the club’s UEFA Champions League final victory.

PSG secured a commanding 5-0 win over Italy’s Inter Milan, prompting widespread celebrations across France. The victory marks a major milestone in the club’s history and drew fans into the streets to celebrate.

However, celebrations in several cities were marred by violence and disturbances.

Violence toll

At least two people were killed and more than 500 were arrested, according to local media on Sunday.

A 23-year-old man riding a scooter died after he was hit by a car during celebrations in Paris, BFMTV reported, citing the Paris prosecutor’s office.

A 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death during the celebrations in the southwestern town of Dax, it added.

During the celebrations across the country, 192 civilians, 22 law enforcement officers, and seven firefighters were also injured, according to the broadcaster.

According to Le Figaro, citing the Paris Police Department, 131 people were taken into custody across the country following the match. However, BFMTV reported that 559 individuals, including 491 in Paris, were arrested.

Additionally, two vehicles were set on fire, and a store was looted.

Related News

Poll: 91% of French want rioters banned from future protests

Macron and Starmer to lead Paris talks on 'Coalition of the Willing'

In Grenoble, local media reported that three pedestrians were injured when a driver lost control of a vehicle and crashed into a crowd, as covered by French broadcaster BFMTV.

During the #ChampionsLeague final on Saturday night, Paris Saint-Germain fans held a banner calling to stop the genocide in #Gaza.#Palestinian flags were seen raised in the stands as well.

The game ended with a 5-0 #PSG win against Inter Milan, granting the French side its… pic.twitter.com/Cv6VEyxDoZ

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 1, 2025

Retailleau’s controversial 'barbarians' comment

Amid the unrest, Retailleau posted on X, stating that while genuine fans appreciated the victory, “some barbarians took to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement.” He also instructed security forces to respond firmly to the incidents.

“It is intolerable that we cannot even celebrate without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing,” he wrote.

The minister's remarks, particularly the use of the term “barbarians”, have triggered widespread condemnation and accusations of discriminatory language.

Opposition lawmakers slam Retailleau’s remarks

Retailleau’s comments were met with strong criticism from opposition lawmakers, who accused him of using inflammatory and racially charged language inappropriate for a public official.

Antoine Leaument of the France Unbowed party criticized the use of tear gas by police at the Madeleine metro station near the Champs-Élysées, questioning whether the goal was to suppress celebration altogether.

“Preventing people from celebrating victory on the Champs-Élysées, is that the plan? The barbarian is at Beauvau,” he said, referencing the location of the Interior Ministry.

Alexis Corbiere, also with France Unbowed, condemned Retailleau’s rhetoric, “We must reject the violence of those who want to spoil the celebration, but why use this kind of language: ‘barbarian,’ ‘savage,’ meaning foreigner and almost animal?”

He added, “Even when people are happy, this man [Retailleau] is full of hatred.”

Thomas Portes joined the criticism, calling the statement racist. “We may have political disagreements, but the word ‘barbarian’ has no place coming from the mouth of the Interior Minister. Bruno Retailleau confirms tonight that he is a racist Interior Minister,” he wrote on X.

Read more: Manchester City win first Champions League after defeating Inter Milan

  • Paris
  • Bruno Retailleau
  • Champions League
  • PSG
  • Paris Saint-Germain

Most Read

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, listens to France Unbowed party parliament member Mathilde Panot during a demonstration after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was illegally raided by the IOF, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Paris (AP)
Politics

French MPs on hunger strike after their detainment in 'Israel'

Gaza residents fear trap as Trump’s plan offers little relief
Politics

Flying promises and bombs: Gazans hopeful, yet deeply distrustful

Two years of destruction: Gaza endures war, famine, and displacement
Politics

UNRWA details Gaza's two years under war, famine, and displacement

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits a military hardware exhibition in Pyongyang, Notrh Korea Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (AP)
Politics

DPRK's Kim unveils new advanced weapons at 'Defiance Development 2025'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS