French police have launched a major repression of the misconduct of fans before a huge European match which Prince William should attend.
The reports suggest that the William, a supporter Aston Villa, will be in Paris to watch the Villans face the local Paris Saint-Germain team during the first leg of the Champions League this evening.
However, his visit expected at the Parc des Princes intervenes in the midst of enormous violence of fans in the French capital, with images of fans who made an outside leap of a bar in Paris becoming viral on social networks.
In images shared by days outside on X, punches and chairs were thrown into the streets between the two sets of supporters, with the fan behind the mumbleful camera, “F *** ING Hell”, while the chaos took place.
The video of the fight was taken in Pigalle, a district of Parisian red lights which has the Moulin Rouge cabaret, as well as many other night spots and drink establishments.
According to The Sun, a source of investigation close to the French police said that the supporters of Aston Villa were intentionally targeted by a violent gang of Hooligans from PSG.
French police are launching a major repression in Paris before the quarter -final of the Champions League of this evening between Aston Villa and PSG, Prince William (top right) should assist
The draw of the Wednesday Champions League was spoiled by painful scenes of fighting supporters
Reports say that villa fans have been deliberately targeted and attacked by a group of PSG hooligans
“This is where the problem started. A large gang of Ultras PSG, many of whom with caps have stopped, turned out to be ready for a fight, ” said the source of the newspaper.
“They knew who they were looking for – whoever supported Aston Villa. Aston Villa fans were deliberately targeted.
The source added: “Gangs like this are used to carrying out these types of attacks – they hit hard, then melted in the night.
William followed Unai Emery’s trip to the first European competition closely this season, and was spotted in the stands encouraging the West Midlands Club.
A spokesperson for the Paris police also told the newspaper that no arrest had been made as a result of the shocking incident and that the images were “examined”.
It is said that a gang qualifying as “PSG hooligans”, which would be a continuation of the far -right group dissolved Kop de Boulogne, has taken responsibility for the incident.
Kop de Boulogne was forced to dissolve in 2008 following a series of targeted attacks against supporters from black and Arab environments.
In an effort to repair the violence of fans, the French authorities have deployed five mobile units and considerably increased security in stations, according to RMC.
A mobile force unit was specifically responsible for monitoring the actions of Aston Villa supporters, who go to Paris to watch their club play in a quarter-final of the Champions League for the first time since the 1982-1983 campaign.
According to the English lawyer’s office Football Law Associates, all Aston Villa fans have violently caught by fighting other supporters risk potential extradition to French courts and prison.
Paris police have deployed five mobile units and notably accelerated security in stations
A mobile strength unit was specifically responsible for monitoring the actions of Aston Villa fans
Aston Villa heads for the match after a 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday
With only only 2,000 seats allocated to the Premier League club, around 1,000 fans should go to Paris without tickets.
Consequently, and despite no story of animosity between the two fans’ sets, the confrontation of the Parc des Princes was ranked three on a scale of five (five being the highest) by the national division in the fight against hooliganism, which means that there is “ the risk of problem ”.
After a disturbing “explosion” of fans incidents in French football matches this season, the authorities have taken measures to repress violence.
A statement published last month by the French Interior Ministry read: “Since the start of the 2024-2025 season, we have witnessed a real explosion of violence during professional football matches.
“No less than 64 games were marked by serious incidents. Since the start of the season, 627 arrests have been proceeded on the sidelines of professional football matches, an increase of 41% compared to last season, when there was a total of 718.
“The Ministry of the Interior awaits a return to calm and an end of violence by the clubs of the supporters in question. The stadium prohibitions and dissolutions will no longer be necessary once public order will be respected and that violence has ceased.
“Professional football clubs, football authorities and supporters’ clubs have a role to play in the appeasement of the situation alongside public authorities.
Last week, the French Ministry of the Interior proposed a ban on Legion X, a group of fans that supports the Paris FC second level football club because it is involved in serious violent incidents for years.
A group of villa fans who were not involved in the video, enjoy the drinks in Paris before the game
There were also concerns before last summer Olympic Games when the Marseille shock with Lyon was canceled when the visitors’ bus was launched with stones and beer bottles, leaving Lyon coach Fabio Grosso with facial injuries.
Some of the Olympic football matches were played in Marseille, but fortunately, they passed without major problems.
Meanwhile, in December 2023, the victory of the Villa Europa League against Legia Warsaw was overshadowed by violence outside Villa Park while 46 men were arrested and charged by the West Midlands police. An officer who was engulfed by flames after being struck by a rocket with burns.
When the Premier League club launched an official complaint with UEFA, LEGIA Warsaw responded by blaming their host’s ticket distribution policy and the day’s police.
Aston Villa went to the crucial draw of the Champions League after a 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
