Football fan, 8, with brain cancer has shirt torn off & burned by cruel rival supporters as club slams ‘unspeakable act’
AN EIGHT-year-old football fan with brain cancer was horrifically attacked by supporters of a rival club at a game in France.
Little Kenzo had his beloved Marseille shirt ripped off him by the vile thugs who then set it alight at the Stade Francois Coty on Saturday.
Hooligans supporting the relegated AC Ajaccio, based on the French island of Corsica, pounced on the boy and his dad at the weekend in the final game of the season in Ligue 1.
The match was marred by trouble in the stands as rowdy supporters caused chaos, before ruining Kenzo’s special trip to the stadium.
As his tumour is causing his eyesight to deteriorate, it had been his dream to see Marseille players on the pitch in person.
He had been invited down by Ajaccio chiefs and proudly wore the colours of his team before the disgusting attack ensued.
The schoolboy’s shirt was sickeningly torn from his body and burnt by home fans, while his father was punched twice.
Ajaccio has condemned the “unspeakable acts” while explaining supporters had infiltrated a private area where they had put Kenzo and his parents.
The club said in a statement: “AC Ajaccio had the pleasure of hosting little Kenzo, who is suffering from cancer.
“He had expressed his dream of meeting the players of Marseille, the club of his city and his heart.
“Kenzo and his family were invited so that the child could realise his dream during the match this evening.
“The dream quickly turned into a nightmare when Kenzo and his parents, who came in the colours of Marseille, were shamefully abused by individuals who broke into their dressing room.
“Alerted (to the incident), the security of the club intervened.
“Kenzo and his family were taken care of by the club’s security and escorted to the changing room area so that the child could fulfil his dream.
“These individuals in no way represent the values of our club and our island. Even the most extreme stupidity cannot excuse these behaviors!
“The club strongly condemns these unspeakable acts! AC Ajaccio will shed full light on these shameful actions.
“As soon as the individuals have been identified by our services, we will file a complaint against them. AC Ajaccio is in solidarity with little Kenzo and his parents.”
Kenzo’s outraged mother Amandine told Corse-Matin her cancer-stricken son has been “traumatised” by the attack.
She said around 10 Ajaccio supporters had burst into their box before chaos ensued.
They pushed my son and his head hit the railing. They hit my husband in the face, ripped off the little one’s shirt and went to burn it.
Mum Amandine
The mum said: “Since we thought we were safe, I allowed Kenzo to put on his shirt, my husband took him by the hand to show him the players walking onto the field.
“And everything went wrong. They pushed my son and his head hit the railing. They hit my husband in the face, ripped off the little one’s shirt and went to burn it.
“Before leaving the dressing room, they even spat in the food that was on the floor at our disposal.
“Kenzo is well aware that he is very seriously ill, he is losing his sight due to his tumour and he said to me: ‘Before I see nothing more, I want to see OM in Ajaccio’… These fools traumatised him.”
The shaken father and son were then given security protection within the ground’s changing rooms – which had one silver lining.
Kenzo incredibly ran into several Marseille players, including his idol midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, putting a smile on his face despite the horror attack from Ajaccio fans.
Stephanie Freedman of Journal L’Alsace tweeted: “Thank you all from Kenzo and his family for your immense support and solidarity.
“I showed your messages to Kenzo, who is very touched. He is recovering slowly. His exchange with his idol @MatteoGuendouzi gave him some comfort.”
Supporters of the rival teams had already clashed in Corsica ahead of the game, reportedly launching objects at each other.
A journalist for TV channel France 3 was also hit in the face and, in a state of shock, was taken to hospital by a fire engine.
Racist chants were also reportedly heard in the stadium, according to French outlet RMC Sport.
Ajaccio won the game 1-0 after an 88th-minute goal from Clement Vidal.