Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation after members of the Ultras Winners 2005, the dedicated supporters of Wydad Athletic Club, gathered near the Eiffel Tower on Friday night to mark the 20th anniversary of their fan group with fireworks and flares. The unannounced celebration, held on the Mirabeau and Grenelle bridges along the Seine, featured red flares, chants, and fireworks that lit up the Paris skyline for less than a minute. According to police sources cited by Le Figaro, around a hundred fans arrived together about 30 minutes before simultaneously setting off the pyrotechnics. Although described as «non-violent and very brief», the gathering was deemed «completely illegal», as no authorization had been obtained from the Paris prefecture or city hall, the newspaper writes. The use of fireworks in public spaces requires prior approval, authorities reminded. Police units, including a rapid response team, arrived shortly after the participants dispersed and reported no arrests or disturbances. However, the Paris prosecutor's office has assigned the city's territorial security unit to identify the organizers and clarify the circumstances surrounding the gathering. Videos of the scene quickly went viral on social media, showing the celebration from several angles, including aerial shots that may have been captured by a drone in a restricted area near the Ministry of the Armed Forces. Officials are now investigating whether the footage is authentic or digitally altered.
