Over 160 Arrested in France Following World Cup Semi-Final Loss to Spain

Following France's 2-1 defeat to Spain in the World Cup semi-final, violent clashes erupted in French cities, leading to over 160 arrests. The match took place on Bastille Day, France's national holiday, with some planned celebrations postponed to allow citizens to watch the game. In Paris alone, authorities detained at least 141 people by early morning, primarily for firing fireworks and firecrackers at police and emergency personnel. Similar unrest occurred in Lyon, where hundreds of fans gathered for a public viewing in Place Bellecour, resulting in about 20 additional arrests after objects were thrown at law enforcement.

Despite the disturbances, police reported no injuries or significant property damage and emphasized that the vast majority of fans behaved responsibly throughout the evening. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Spain on reaching the final and thanked the French team, the "Blues," for their dedicated performance during the tournament.