Emmanuel Macron called on Monday for the “clearest” and “strongest” sanctions against the attackers of Kenzo, an eight-year-old child with cancer who was targeted on Saturday with his family on the sidelines of a football match in Ajaccio.

“This shows a kind of drift and we are right not to get used to it”, declared the head of state to the press during a trip to Mont-Saint-Michel, promising to “continue to be alongside the family also so that he can recover from this trauma”.

“Like all violence, it is obviously unacceptable. I have a very moved thought for Kenzo and his parents”, he also said, stressing that the child was fighting “with great courage against the disease”.

“He is a loyal supporter and nothing justifies that,” insisted the president. “I expect the clearest, strongest sanctions to be taken.”

The public prosecutor of Ajaccio has opened an investigation for violence in meetings concerning the attack suffered by Kenzo and his family in the stadium of the Corsican city.

This child had been invited to Corsica on Saturday to fulfill his “dream” of meeting players from Olympique de Marseille. He was taken to task with his parents in the stadium, detailed AC Ajaccio, speaking of “unspeakable acts”.

“The dream quickly turned into a nightmare when Kenzo and his parents, who came in the colors of Olympique de Marseille, were shamefully abused by individuals who broke into their dressing room,” the club said in a statement.

05/06/2023 18:30:51 – Le Mont-Saint-Michel (AFP) – © 2023 AFP