Predicting the unexpected is one of the missions of the police. When it comes to maintaining order, the prefecture is supposed to find out about the forces involved, their objectives, their supposed background and all the complications imaginable. The device is adapted accordingly. This is why the fiasco of the Champions League final at the Stade de France, these 36 minutes late kick-off and these images of chaos broadcast in mondovision tell a story about the dysfunction of the police channel. No offense to the rantings of Gérald Darmanin.

Of course, the task is difficult. The replacement of Saint Petersburg as host city three months ago complicated the mission of the officials. It should also be noted that no injuries or deaths are to be deplored, which validates the unorthodox decisions – tear gas projected in all directions – taken in the second part of this catastrophic evening. But it must also be noted that none of the grains of sand invoked – these fake tickets from English supporters who came en masse, these stewards who were not numerous enough, the RER B strike – or you was really unpredictable, just like the presence of these young people who, according to several testimonies, assaulted or robbed spectators.

Since its inauguration in 1998, the Stade de France has seen many English, Turkish, Irish, Russian and Serbian supporters pass by without incident. It has hosted the biggest events, including two Champions League finals, in 2000 and 2006, in serenity. Behaviors have undoubtedly evolved, in an increasingly violent society. Does this mean that what we did yesterday, we are unable to reproduce today?

In any case, this failure goes hand in hand with a more nervous repression of social movements, which the CRS no longer seem to know how to manage calmly. In this slump, the Rugby World Cup in 2023, then the Olympic Games in 2024, must be considered as immense opportunities. Those of purging the feeling of shame that invaded us on Saturday evening.