Extra security measures in Paris for PSG's big game

 With Paris Saint-Germain looking to become only second French club to win Champions League, around 3,000 police will be deployed on Champs-Élysées and outside club's stadium on Sunday night to prevent wild fan celebrations amid coronavirus concerns.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin anunced measures on Saturday. To encour preventative measures, 2,000 masks will be distributed to fans who arrive without m. In a bid to keep numbers down, 17 subway stations will be shut and three ring road entry points into Paris will be closed off.

“t only so things take place in best way possible in terms of public security, but obviously so that wearing of masks can be ensured,” Darmanin said.

PSG faces five-time champion Bayern Munich in Lisbon, but all eyes will be on game in bars and cafés back home. With virus cases increasing, authorities want to avoid scenes like Tuesday, when raucous fans celebrated reaching final for first time in club’s 50-year history.

Thousands poured onto famed Champs-Élysées, some on scooters or hanging out of cars, lighting up night sky with flares as y danced and cheered wildly. Many were without face masks as social distancing disappeared entirely amid hugging and jubilation.

Police arrested 36 people after throngs at foot of Arc de Triomphe degenerated into scattered violence and shop windows were smashed. But police authorities were also widely criticized for t anticipating situation properly and deploying only a dozen vans.

avenue will be for pedestrians only from 9 p.m. — kick off time — with vehicles allowed to enter. This rare measure is usually reserved for New Year's Eve.

PSG is beaming match on a giant screen at its Parc des Princes stadium in western Paris, where 5,000 fans will be allowed — maximum number that can attend soccer games in France.

All fans entering stadium have to wear masks and wash ir hands, and police are being deployed outside to prevent a repeat of widespread garing on Tuesday.

On outskirts of city, 500 people will be allowed to watch game at club's training ground at Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

re is more than victory at stake for PSG, which is trying to end decades of gloating from bitter rival Marseille — only French club to have won competition in 1993.

game is massive for club, which had never got past quarterfinals since 2011 despite huge backing from Qatari investors QSI estimated at more than 1.5 billion euros ($1.77 billion).

That includes a massive transfer outlay of 400 million euros ($472 million) alone on star forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.

w world’s two most expensive players are under big pressure to make history for PSG.