French police fire TEAR GAS at football fans in Paris and arrest at least 74 amid violent clashes

Football fans clashed violently with police in Paris following Saturday’s quarter final matches between France and England and Morocco and Portugal. 

Around 20,000 people took to the streets of Paris after the final whistle blew in France’s 2-1 victory over England in Qatar.

Although the mood was originally celebratory, clashes between fans and police soon turned violent with officers spraying tear gas into the crowd and arresting at least 74 people, Le Parisien reports.

Thousands of supporters had filled the famous Parisian avenue soon after the match between Morocco and Portugal, chanting, waving flags and honking their horns amid large police deployment. 

Small fires were seen burning in the centre of Paris following fans’ clashes with police officers

Eyewitnesses said French police deployed tear gas to try and control the 20,000 strong crowd who turned out following France’s win over England

More joined them after France’s win against England. Reuters TV footage showed people smashing shop ventures and fights with police. 

Photographs from central Paris appeared to show several fires, as well as police with riot shields facing off against protestors with fireworks and flares.

Local media also reported that some projectiles were thrown at police by angry fans. 

Police officers responded by using tear gas against some young fans, reportedly outside the famous shopping street’s Dior store.

According to local media, the atmosphere on the streets changed around midnight from one of families celebrating earlier in the evening to groups of young men who began smashing shop windows and clashing with police.

Several stores on the Champs Elysees had already been bordered up in anticipation of the night’s festivities. 

Some fires could also be seen on avenue de Friedland close to the Champs Elysees. 

On Friday, French authorities announced that more than 1,200 officers would be mobilised in order to deal with any disorder in the aftermath of the matches. 

Some streets in the surrounding area were flooded with police vehicles. 

Paris had initially erupted with joy as crowds celebrated a famous French World Cup victory against England.

French Gendarmes stand by with riot gear as people set off fireworks in the streets of Paris

Members of France’s police force gather in Paris as fans celebrate their team’s success

The mood in Paris was jubilant as the nation prepares to now meet Morocco in the semin-finals on Wednesday

Supporters appeared to have set off fireworks and flares throughout the French capital late on Saturday

Moroccan fans gather after their historical win over Portugal to take them into the semi final as the first African nation to reach the last four in the World Cup

Renditions of the national anthem, La Marseillaise, and Allez les Bleus, could be heard across the freezing cold streets of the capital.

‘Vive La France !’ said Caroline Milou, 30, as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks – which were marked with the red, white and blue of the Tricolour.

‘We are so happy to have beaten England – if we beat England, we win the cup. We love Britain, but this is our night!’

Caroline was celebrating in the Frog & Rosbif pub, which was packed with around 300 fans of both countries during the game.

Luc Roncayloco, 21, hugged Milou, and said: ‘It was our night! I am so happy. Mbappé was superb, but so was Giroud. It was a great performance’.

England fan Autumn Lumb, 26, was in the pub with a Cross-of-St-George draped around her, and could not hide her disappointment.

‘I knew as soon as Kane stepped up for the penalty he was going to miss. I feel sick,’ said Autumn.

French supporters celebrate after their 2-1 win over England on the Champs Elysees in Paris

French and Moroccan supporters celebrate their teams winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter finals match between Morocco and Portugal and France against England

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Paris erupted with joy tonight as crowds celebrated a famous French World Cup victory against England (picture: Caroline Milou, 30, hugs Luc Roncayloco, 21)

Fans watching the World Cup Quarter Final in Paris this evening react to the final whistle as France win 2-1

France’s players celebrate their win in the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between England and France at the Al-Bayt Stadium

A French supporter celebrates France’s victory during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final against England

French supporters break out into jubilation following their win against England

And George Pittard, 26, and from London, said: ‘It’s really disappointing but expected. Kane scored one, but then missed – it’s Spurs isn’t it.’

England’s quest for World Cup glory has been brought to a heartbreaking conclusion after a vital penalty miss from Harry Kane saw France eke out a breathless 2-1 victory in Qatar.

The teams went into half time tied at 1-1, but Les Bleus managed to claw their way in front when their all-time top scorer Olivier Giroud scrambled in front of Harry Maguire and guided an excellent ball from Griezmann in at the near post.

For a moment it looked as though France’s lead was going to be short lived when substitute Mason Mount was bundled to the floor in the box and was awarded a penalty.

But star striker Kane, having scored an assured spot kick minutes earlier, saw his second effort soar miles over the crossbar, sending the Three Lions crashing out of the World Cup at the quarter final stage.

Harry Kane was devastated at the full time whistle having missed a critical penalty

England’s Harry Kane looks dejected after the match as England are eliminated from the World Cup while French players celebrate

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Gareth Southgate consoles his captain as England crash out of the World Cup

Harry Kane of England is dejected at full time during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar

Players of France celebrate as Jude Bellingham of England reacts on the ground after the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter final soccer match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, 10 December 2022

France players celebrate after the match as France progress to the semi finals

England’s Declan Rice looks dejected at the final whistle

England’s Jude Bellingham reacts during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between England and France, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022

England fans react to France’s second goal as they watch a screen showing the 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between England and France, at Depot Mayfield in Manchester on December 10, 2022

Gareth Southgate’s men were clearly devastated at the final whistle, the players listing helplessly around the pitch in utter dejection while the French contingent erupted into wild celebrations.

Southgate made a beeline for his captain Kane, who looked as though he could scarcely believe the result.

England’s captain had sunk to his knees at the final whistle and his teammates requested TV cameras to turn their focus elsewhere.

Jude Bellingham meanwhile collapsed to the turf in tears and was also consoled by his manager.

Southgate showed true sportsmanship in defeat by congratulating France captain Hugo Loris, while the remainder of his players saluted and applauded their fans while holding back tears. 

The two teams looked very well matched from the first whistle with end-to-end football delighting the fans in Qatar’s Al-Bayt stadium.