- PSG will host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes later today in the UEFA Champions League, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez saying the fixture is not under threat
- France saw protests on Saturday turn into rioting, looting and clashes with police, with more than 2,400 arrests reported
- A video shared on social media showed two masked men displaying items reportedly stolen near Place de la République, including Lionel Messi-related Barcelona memorabilia
European Fixture To Go Ahead Despite Unrest
Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday is expected to take place as planned, despite widespread unrest across France over the weekend. Protests on Saturday escalated into rioting and looting, with clashes involving police reported around the country, including in Paris.
🇫🇷😂 Someone managed to get their hands on a shirt signed by Lionel Messi during the riots in Paris.
Of all the things they could have taken, they went straight for the GOAT’s signature. 😭🐐 https://t.co/A6yF3O4Gfv
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) October 18, 2026
The disorder has led to more than 2,400 arrests. On Monday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called for local and partial curfews as part of efforts to calm the situation. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledged that police lost control in some areas and referred to a lack of anticipation in particular cases.
Against that backdrop, Nunez insisted that the PSG-Barcelona match was not in doubt. “The question [about the match] is not being asked, nor is it for other European games,” he said.
French Clubs’ European Schedule Remains In Focus
PSG are aiming to extend their winning run in this year’s edition of the competition when they face Barcelona. Other French clubs are also involved in European fixtures this week, with Lille OSC due to host Galatasaray on Wednesday. Olympique de Marseille, Stade Rennais, Olympique Lyonnais and RC Lens all play away from home in their European matches.
Luis Enrique Responds To Questions On The Situation
PSG manager Luis Enrique was asked about the protests taking place across France, but he directed attention back to the football while condemning violence. “I am not the person to ask about the topic. I am here to talk about football. Of course, we don’t like this kind of violence,” he said.
Messi Shirt Stolen Near Place de la République
Football has also been drawn into the unrest in Paris through a separate incident involving Lionel Messi-related memorabilia. As protesters were fighting for their rights, some people took advantage of the disorder to steal expensive items, including a Barcelona match shirt and a captain’s armband worn by Lionel Messi. The case attracted wider attention after a video appeared on social media showing two masked men presenting the stolen goods from a shop near Place de la République.
High-Value Items Add A Data Point To The Fallout
The stolen items may hold significant financial value. Such memorabilia can command prices of thousands of euros, and in 2023 the Argentine forward sold kits from the World Cup in Qatar at auction for more than one million euros each.
