Mass brawl erupts ahead of French Cup final in Paris

Violence broke out in Paris overnight ahead of the French Cup final (The 2026 Coupe de France), leaving six people injured and leading to the detention of 65 individuals, L’Équipe reports.

One of the injured was reportedly hospitalized in intensive care with serious head injuries.

Around 100 supporters of OGC Nice — whose team is set to face RC Lens in the French Cup final at the Stade de France — gathered near the Saint-Martin Canal before becoming involved in a mass brawl.

Police intervened to disperse the clashes and detained 65 people. Authorities also confiscated knives, improvised weapons, balaclavas, and protective gloves.

L’Équipe reported that the violence involved radical supporters from Nice, joined by fans from other cities in France and Germany, as well as a number of ultras associated with Paris Saint-Germain.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire condemned the unrest, stating that the city “will not tolerate the presence of radical groups spreading hatred.”

The French Cup final has been designated a high-risk event, prompting heightened security measures across the capital. More than 2,000 police officers have reportedly been deployed in and around Paris ahead of the match.

By Vafa Guliyeva