French Soccer Icon Emmanuel Petit Condemns France Riots
Former France international Emmanuel Petit condemned rioters who looted stores and set cars alight, while distinguishing them from people protesting the cost…
French soccer icon Emmanuel Petit condemned rioters who looted stores and set cars alight across France, while defending people who took to the streets over the cost of living. The former France international voiced his anger in an Instagram post as protests turned violent, Fox News reported.
Petit’s distinction matters: he criticized people who damaged property and attacked others, but said ordinary protesters should not be lumped together with them. Fox News reported that more than 2,400 rioters had been arrested nationwide.
French soccer icon Emmanuel Petit draws a line
Petit called the rioters “thugs” and accused them of exploiting the unrest to destroy and loot. “They destroy everything, they burn everything, they break everything, they plunder, they steal, they hurt, they aggress, they insult,” he said, according to Fox News.
He also rejected the idea that everyone who joined demonstrations shared responsibility for the violence. Petit said he understood the frustration of people protesting economic pressures, and described himself as fed up with the tax burden.
“You shouldn't mix up the people who manifested yesterday, and I understand them strongly because I too am more than fed up of being pressed like a lemon on a fiscal plan,” Petit said.
That distinction is central to his message. Looting and arson threaten residents and businesses directly, while his comments recognize that the protests also reflected public anger over living costs and policy. His remarks do not treat those grievances as justification for street violence.
Anger over violence and living costs
Fox News reported that the unrest included torched cars, looted stores and damaged streets. Riot police used tear gas in Paris and Marseille, according to the report. Petit’s post came after demonstrations that had started over school policy and living costs widened into violent confrontations.
The impact reaches beyond the people arrested or injured. Shops face damage and theft, while residents encounter disorder in their neighborhoods. The source describes scenes of burned vehicles and broken storefronts, alongside a broader protest movement driven by cost-of-living concerns.
Petit also addressed immigration, saying he welcomed foreigners who respected France and wanted to integrate. “I love my country, I love all foreigners who love my country and who want to integrate,” he said.
His comments were sharply directed at people he accused of hating the country, whom he told to “go back from where you came.” Fox News identifies Petit as a winner of the 1998 World Cup and says he posted his reaction on Instagram Sunday.
The report also said French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “both anger and shame” over the unrest. It did not provide further detail on any next steps from the government. Fox News reported more than 2,400 arrests nationwide.
Source: foxnews.com
