Chelsea supporters rampage through Paris and clash with PSG fans before Champions League defeat

Incident occurred on the streets of the French capital on Wednesday afternoon

Gordon Tynan
Thursday 03 April 2014 16:38 BST
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Police arrive at the scene in Paris on Wednesday afternoon
Police arrive at the scene in Paris on Wednesday afternoon (TWITTER)

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Chelsea supporters reportedly rampaged through the streets of Paris on Wednesday afternoon prior to the Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, making Nazi salutes and causing damage to local cafes and shops.

Around a hundred Blues' fans were pictured in the tourist area of Rue Saint-Denis after drinking in the Frog and Rosbif pub and were accused of creating havoc on the streets, letting off flares before engaging in violence against supporters from the home side, who have had serious problems with hooliganism in the past.

Witnesses said that the Chelsea supporters made Nazi salutes and shouted English Defence League chants.

Jean-Philippe d'Halliville, PSG's director of security, confirmed that about 100 fans from each side, including former members of PSG's now-disbanded Kop of Boulogne hooligan group, fought for up to three minutes in the city before police intervened.

Police believe the it was pre-arranged.

He did not give further details on whether there were any arrests or injuries. Despite tight security around the Gare du Nord train station and another known hangout for PSG troublemakers, the violence broke out about two hours before the game.

French news channel BFMTV reported that the English hooligans were involved in battles with former PSG ultras in the central Chatelet area. Two fans were reportedly hurt.

Trouble marred PSG's previous home match against Bayer Leverkusen last month. Eleven people were arrested after those fights broke out.

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