Former president of a French club is murdered during his mother’s funeral.

The tragedy has shaken the football world and left Corsica in shock. Alain Orsoni, former president of the Ajaccio football club and a prominent figure in Corsican politics, was brutally murdered after being shot during his mother Marinette Orsoni’s funeral, who was 92 years old. The crime, which took place during the funeral service, raises questions about security and the influence of organized crime in the region.

The circumstances surrounding Orsoni’s death are as alarming as they are tragic. Witnesses report that at the exact moment Father Roger Polge was concluding his final words in honor of the deceased, a shot rang out across the cemetery. “It was a moment of sadness and mourning when suddenly we heard a shot and Alain fell, dead,” the priest told France 3, reflecting the bewilderment and horror that overtook those present.

Prosecutor Nicolas Septer confirmed that Alain Orsoni, 71, was shot from a long distance, suggesting the involvement of a sniper. The police immediately launched an investigation, with suspicions pointing towards organized crime, a persistent issue in Corsica. This attack is not an isolated incident: Orsoni had previously survived an assassination attempt in 2008, when police intervention saved his life.

Alain Orsoni was not only a former president of Ajaccio, where he served two terms, from 2008 to 2015 and again from 2022 to 2023. He was also an influential figure in the fight for Corsican autonomy, having been a leader of the Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) in the 1980s and later the founder of the Movement for Self-Determination (MPA). His political career was marked by struggle and controversy, culminating in yesterday’s tragedy.

The impact of Orsoni’s death goes far beyond the football field. His assassination raises questions about the safety of public figures in Corsica and the persistence of deadly rivalries that have marred the island’s history. The atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that arises from this violent act serves as a grim reminder of the realities many face in regions where organized crime still holds sway.

Alain Orsoni leaves behind a complex legacy, both in politics and sports, and his death shakes not only the supporters of Ajaccio but also all those who believed in the possibility of a free and peaceful Corsica. The community is in mourning, and the search for justice begins now, as authorities attempt to dismantle the ties that connect organized crime to this heinous act.