Lille title celebrations attract thousands to the streets for open-top bus parade despite Covid-19 CURFEW after knocking PSG off Ligue 1 top spot – with seven arrests made and three people taken to hospital
- Lille’s open-top bus parade saw the city centre filled with thousands of people
- French football was rocked after PSG were swept aside from the top spot
- Christophe Galtier won the title by a single point on the season’s final weekend
- Seven arrests were made and twenty people were treated by emergency services
Thousands of people poured onto the streets of Lille on Monday to join together in celebration of the team’s stunning Ligue 1 title victory, claimed on the final weekend of the campaign.
Christophe Galtier’s side shocked French football this season by toppling giants PSG and stopping the Parisians winning a fourth consecutive title and an eighth in nine years.
Lille sealed the famous trophy with victory over Angers, sparking monumental scenes on Monday which carried on into the evening, past a locally imposed Covid-19 curfew.
Lille players cruised through the city on an open-top bus to celebrate an incredible title victory
Thousands of people packed into the streets to see the coach and glimpse the trophy
Flares were set off as the city became a sea of red and smoke during the joyous scenes
Strong lines of security were needed in order to keep the celebrations in order
Police have also confirmed that seven arrests were made, while a number of people required medical attention.
‘The police had to make seven arrests, including one for ‘attempted homicide against the police using a vehicle’ said the region’s Government.
Three people were arrested for throwing projectiles, two for burning rubbish bins and one for possession of fireworks, it added.
Twenty people were treated by emergency services, including three who needed to be taken to hospital, the statement said.
Fans stayed out for the duration of the day despite a locally imposed Covid-19 curfew
Lille shocked French football by knocking the dominant PSG off the top spot in Ligue 1
The police had set up a roadblock to control entry to the Grand-Place, the historic centre of the city, but supporters gathered anyway and were allowed to make their way into the square through side streets.
They waved flags and scarves in their team’s colours, in a red halo of smoke, to the sound of exploding firecrackers while singing ‘We are the champions’ and ‘Freed from desire’ and dancing.
The mood was generally festive and good-natured atmosphere, as Lille fans rejoiced in bettering France’s most dominant side of the modern era.
The trophy was lifted on Sunday following a dramatic victory over Angers on the final day
Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba of Lille celebrate their title win
On Saturday, the regional prefect Michel Lalande had called on the people of Lille to ‘enjoy this moment of sport in complete safety, in a health context that is improving but remains fragile’.
He asked ‘everyone to continue to respect all the health measures in force and not to set off fireworks on the public highway.’
