Vero, Corsica-du-Sud – Former AC Ajaccio president and Corsican nationalist figure Alain Orsoni was fatally shot Monday, January 12, while attending his mother’s funeral, authorities confirmed. The shocking act of violence has sent ripples through the French football world and reignited concerns about organized crime on the island.
A Legacy Cut Short: Orsoni’s Life and Football Career
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The former football club president, aged 71, had a long and often turbulent history in Corsican politics and football.
- Alain Orsoni served as president of AC Ajaccio from 2008 to 2015.
- He was a prominent figure in the Corsican nationalist movement.
- Orsoni had previously been the target of an assassination attempt in 2008.
- An investigation into organized gang murder has been launched.
The shooting occurred in the village of Vero, near Ajaccio. Ajaccio prosecutor Nicolas Septe has opened an investigation into organized gang murder, with the investigation being jointly handled by the police and gendarmerie, according to reports. The shooter remains at large.
Orsoni’s involvement with AC Ajaccio spanned from 2008 to 2015. He guided the club to promotion to Ligue 1 at the end of the 2010-2011 season, where they competed for three seasons before being relegated to Ligue 2 in 2014-2015. Currently, the club plays in Regional 2 following a recent relegation.
Early Activism and Years in Exile
A veteran of the Corsican nationalist movement, Orsoni left Corsica in 1996 amid internal conflicts. He spent 13 years living in Florida, Nicaragua – where he was involved in the gaming sector – and Spain before returning to the island. Shortly after his return in 2008, authorities foiled an assassination attempt against him.
He assumed the presidency of Athletic Club Ajaccien (ACA) following the death of his friend, Michel Moretti. Orsoni was known for his political acumen and composed demeanor.
A Notable, Though Brief, Coaching Tenure
During Orsoni’s presidency, former Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli took the helm as ACA’s coach in 2013. However, Ravanelli’s tenure was short-lived, lasting just five months and ending after the team suffered its seventh defeat in twelve matches. His coaching methods, particularly the use of food supplements, were met with criticism in Corsica.
In October, Orsoni received a four-year license ban from the French Football Federation (FFF) due to “transmission of false banking documents” during an appeal to the DNCG, while ACA was battling for its sporting future.
This tragedy comes just after the announcement of the death of Rolland Courbis on Monday morning, adding to the sorrow within the Ajaccian football community.
