French Prime Minister Confirms PSG vs Barcelona Match to Proceed Amidst Violent Protests

Despite escalating violent protests across France, the upcoming UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Barcelona will not be postponed or cancelled, according to French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Lecornu announced on Monday that he has instructed regional authorities to implement "partial" and "localised" curfews in certain cities to safeguard businesses, following weekend demonstrations that resulted in some of the most severe street violence seen in recent years. He indicated that a state of emergency could be declared "if necessary," but suggested that curfews offered a more suitable response to the crisis.

"I am absolutely determined to restore order," Lecornu stated at a press conference following a crisis meeting. "A state of emergency is still a very serious measure, including in terms of its implementation. So if it is necessary, of course we could do it. As things stand, however, the issue of curfews, and the implementation of those curfews, seems better suited to the situation we may be facing." While he did not specify which cities would face partial curfews or their exact nature, he explicitly ruled out a full curfew for Paris, emphasizing that "These curfews must be local and partial. It is out of the question to put all of Paris ⁠⁠under curfew."

At the same news conference, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed to reporters that there were no plans to cancel the match. PSG players Marquinhos and William Pacho were seen participating in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy on the eve of the match. The reigning European and French champions, PSG, are scheduled to host their Spanish counterparts at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night.

The fixture, highly anticipated as a highlight of the group stage in Europe's premier club competition, had been under threat due to days of protests in the French capital and beyond. However, neither club has suggested that the ongoing violence will impact the game, with Barcelona reportedly travelling to Paris on Monday afternoon. The match is slated to commence at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday.

The weekend's unrest, which included riots and looting, has also affected French football clubs. Both Marseille and Lille reported vandalism to their club shops. Marseille stated on Monday that looters caused "significant damage" to its official store on La Canebiere, leading to its temporary closure. Similarly, Lille's city centre store "suffered extensive damage and widespread looting," and will remain closed indefinitely. Lille expressed gratitude for the support offered by employees and members of the public.