A tense scene unfolded in Besançon after a Champions League match, as nearly fifty individuals targeted police officers. The unrest began near the Robert Schwint bridge, where traffic came to a standstill. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers were met with a barrage of projectiles thrown by mostly underage individuals, resulting in minor injuries to five police officers. Motorists trapped in the chaos were startled to see some of the young individuals climbing onto their vehicles, with one car sustaining damage. The group then dispersed toward the city center, particularly Place de la Révolution.
The disturbances spread across several streets, including Grande Rue, Battant, and Rue Courbet, where tear gas was deployed. Patrons at outdoor cafés were hastily escorted to safety by restaurant staff. Reports indicated that a cyclist’s electric bike was overturned and vandalized, alongside damage to public infrastructure.
mayor condemns post-match violence
The violent outburst drew sharp criticism from Besançon’s mayor, who took to social media to denounce the actions. “Nothing excuses using a popular sporting event as an excuse to destroy property, disrupt public order, or instill fear,” the mayor stated, adding that authorities are actively identifying the perpetrators to ensure they face legal consequences.
Following the match, crowds of 600 to 800 people roamed the city, with tensions escalating at times. A subset of around fifty individuals directly clashed with police forces. So far, five arrests have been made, comprising four minors and one adult.