The Paris police headquarters issued an order until January 1 at 2 a.m. A measure which could be extended until the end of the competition.
Supporters of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN) will not be able to gather on the Champs-Élysées during the group stage. In a decree published Tuesday, the Paris police headquarters prohibits “groups of people claiming to be supporters of football teams playing in matches for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations or behaving as such” within a perimeter encompassing the famous avenue, from Tuesday December 23 at 6 p.m. to Thursday January 1 at 2 a.m.
The decision is motivated by the imperatives of security and maintenance of public order. The prefecture mentions “a serious risk” gatherings on the occasion of meetings or at their end, including “the use of pyrotechnic devices”as she writes in the order. The authorities also highlight the large crowd expected on the avenue “particularly during the end of year festivities”as well as precedents linked to the competition. According to the prefecture, “previous editions of this competition have been the scene of excesses and disturbances to public order on the Champs-Élysées and in their surroundings”.
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Possible new restrictions
During CAN 2024, won by Ivory Coast, around ten people were arrested in Paris, notably on the most beautiful avenue in the world, amid scenes of jubilation. At the time, however, the police headquarters had only introduced a ban on gatherings from the semi-finals. Conversely, during the 2022 Football World Cup, organized in winter, no ban of this type was decided in the capital.
The new decree also regulates the carrying and transport of objects by people claiming to be supporters in the area concerned, in particular “any object likely to constitute a weapon”as well as “protective equipment”. This measure replaces a first, broader decree, which initially prohibited gatherings for the duration of the competition. This was withdrawn after its suspension by the administrative court, indicates The Parisian. The prefecture does not rule out new restrictions during the competition, depending on how the situation evolves.
