Human stupidity was everywhere as PSG beat Arsenal to win Champions League

The game was dramatic and tense. While it lacked the free-flowing feel of 12 months ago, when PSG were crowned Champions League winners after thumping Inter Milan, it was still a memorable final nonetheless.

Early on, it looked as though Arsenal would reach the promised land. Kai Havertz's thunderous strike sailed into the net and shockwaves were felt not only in Budapest, but across the UK and Paris too.

But PSG are a special side. Despite facing Europe's most formidable defence, they still found a way to unlock it.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, their Georgian prince with an air of George Best about him, was fouled inside the box. Just as Luis Enrique's men were running out of answers, his quick feet led to Cristhian Mosquera committing a foul.

Ousmane Dembele, a player who has become the best in the world having previously struggled for consistency at Barcelona, then did the rest from 12 yards, sending David Raya the wrong way.

With nothing to separate the two sides, the contest ultimately headed to a dramatic penalty shootout.

It was to be joy for PSG, and agony for Arsenal.

Eberechi Eze missed first, with the former Crystal Palace star stuttering and stumbling before slicing his effort wide of the post.

Nuno Mendes gave Arsenal a lifeline when Raya saved his effort.

But unfortunately for Mikel Arteta and the Premier League champions it wasn't to be, with Gabriel - arguably their standout player on the night - blazing his effort over the bar.

It was agony for Arsenal of the highest order. They had nullified the defending champions for the most part, defended doggedly, and still came up short. They deserve every credit for a sensational campaign that has seen them win the league for the first time in 22 years, as well as claim silverware for the first time in six.

But some of the footage that has emerged on social media in the time since is alarming. It showcases humans and football fans at their absolute worst.

Rival supporters wasted no time rubbing salt into their counterparts' wounds. There was disrespect shown to a huge, vast number of Arsenal fans.

That, alone, is unacceptable. Banter, of course, is fine. But when you're going out to upset people, to provoke them into either violence of a war of words, then you're part of the problem.

That said, the way a few Arsenal fans have taken the defeat is hard to justify.

One clip that went viral on social media showed an Arsenal fan catapulting himself across a pool table to start a fight. This was even before the penalties had concluded.

Another showed dejected Arsenal fans walking in the street. When provoked, a man decided to spit on the person winding him up. No amount of mockery can justify that.

Some Arsenal fans were even seen fighting among themselves in bars and pubs. Others were happy to scrap in front of their young children.

Yet it would be wrong to pin this all on those who follow and cherish the Gunners.

Some PSG fans, too, have let themselves down with their antics.

Just in Paris alone, there were 780 arrests following PSG's triumph. 480 were in the area of the capital and 457 were taken into custody.

Footage has also shown their fans acting up. One clip seen by GB News saw a PSG supporter diving head-first into a television.

Nastily, a lone Arsenal supporter was pushed, harassed and chased by PSG fans just moments after the final whistle.

Because of the riots in France, one elderly woman was carried away after being caught up in police attempting to diffuse the situation.

She had gone out to enjoy the celebrations but instead found herself in a scene that resembled a war zone.

Quite why people feel the need to act like hooligans is unknown. Alcohol, no doubt, plays a role. But there is still something categorically wrong with people for losing their heads, especially over something as ultimately insignificant as football.

The game is truly gone.