Latest news with #YoussoufFofana
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Vandals chop down tree honoring Jewish man tortured and killed in antisemitic attack
French leaders are condemning vandals who chopped down a tree honoring a Jewish man who was kidnapped and tortured for over three weeks before dying on the way to a hospital. In 2006, a group that called itself the "Gang of Barbarians," led by Youssouf Fofana, kidnapped Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old Jewish man. For more than three weeks, Halimi was held hostage and tortured. Believing an old antisemitic stereotype, Halimi's captors assumed his family was wealthy and demanded a ransom it could not afford. At least 27 people participated in Halimi's abduction and torture, but it is believed that more knew of the crime and did not report it to law enforcement. On Feb. 13, 2006, Halimi was found naked, handcuffed and barely clinging to life at a train station. He died while being transported to a hospital. The commemorative olive tree, planted in Halimi's honor 14 years ago, was cut down late Wednesday night. The Associated Press reported the felling appeared to be done with a chainsaw. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the act, saying, "Cutting down the tree honoring Ilan Halimi is an attempt to kill him a second time. "It will not succeed: the nation will not forget this child of France who died because he was Jewish," he added. French Prime Minister François Bayrou said, "No crime can uproot his memory." In response, U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner thanked Bayrou for his "strong and unequivocal" condemnation of the felling of the memorial tree. "I hope your clear condemnation, as the leader of the French government, stands as a model of principled leadership and zero tolerance toward the surge of antisemitism in France and worldwide. Your statement will resonate far beyond the immediate context, reassuring those targeted and inspiring all who cherish tolerance," Kushner wrote on X. Despite strongly condemning the incident, Macron was not praised by Israeli Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli. The Israeli official pointed to Macron's recent promise to recognize a Palestinian state and suggested the French president effectively "wielded the axe." "Macron rushed to condemn it — but I told him his own hands wielded the axe. No French president has been more hostile to the Jewish community since the Vichy regime," Chikli wrote. "By pushing recognition of a Palestinian state — under the heavy shadow of the October 7 atrocities, while our people rot in captivity — Macron places himself at the political vanguard of Hamas and of the surging tide of global antisemitism." In the years since Halimi's murder, France has grappled with antisemitic incidents, including a 2015 attack on the Hyper Cacher store in Paris that left four dead. In March, just over 10 years after the attack, the store was targeted again. An arsonist set a fire that damaged the front of the store and some of its interior, according to The Times of Israel. Antisemitism in France has persisted since the war in Gaza began in 2023 after Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 massacre. Jews in France have not only seen mass protests against Israel. They have been victims of antisemitic violence. In June 2024, a 12-year-old girl was raped by three teen boys who, according to police reports, uttered death threats and antisemitic remarks during the attack. The incident sparked outrage in France and was condemned by Macron. According to The Times of Israel, the boys were charged with sexual assault on a minor and recording and sharing sexual images, aggravated by religious motivation. The outlet reported that two of the attackers, who were 13 at the time of the rape, were sentenced to nine and seven years in prison. One assailant could not be sentenced to jail due to his age and would reportedly be placed in closed foster care for five years. Recently, the Israeli airline El Al has been a target for antisemitism in France. Earlier this month, the company's Paris offices were vandalized with red paint and anti-Israel graffiti. The vandals wrote that El Al was a "genocide airline." Just days later, a French air traffic controller broadcast "Free Palestine" to El Al pilots. The worker has since been suspended. El Al called the remarks "unprofessional and inappropriate." Fofana, who led the attack on Halimi, was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 and is not eligible for parole for 22 years. Two of his accomplices were sentended to 15 and 18 years in prison. A man who was a minor at the time of the attack was also sentenced to 15 years in prison. A girl who used to lure Halimi was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea: Quiet performance leaves Jamie Gittens with point to prove as Estevao has instant impact
Chelsea rounded off their pre-season preparations with a routine 4-1 win over 10-man AC Milan at Stamford Bridge. The Blues raced into a two-goal lead inside eight minutes with Milan debutant Andrei Coubis putting through his own net before Joao Pedro headed in his fifth Chelsea goal in five appearances. Liam Delap came off the bench to score from the penalty spot, with midfielder Youssouf Fofana pulling a goal back for the visitors. Delap then completed the scoring, securing Chelsea's second win in three days, finishing coolly from Andrey Santos' lay-off in added time. Chelsea will now look ahead to the start of the Premier League season next weekend, when they will host Community Shield winners Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Here are three things Standard Sport learned from Chelsea's resounding victory over AC Milan... Gittens fades after promising start Not a game goes by at Chelsea these days without there being a fresh young attacking talent to sink your teeth into. Estevao dazzled under the lights on Friday night against Bayer Leverkusen, but against AC Milan, it was Jamie Gittens' chance to shine. The 21-year-old ran Milan winger Yunus Musah into the ground early on, winning the free-kick from which Chelsea would take the lead, but he struggled to kick on after the visitors were reduced to ten men. Gittens is direct as they come, taking his man on at every opportunity. He carries a threat whenever he isolates defenders, but the Englishman has a tendency to become isolated, having faded after bright early moments against Bayer Leverkusen and Milan. These are formative moments for Gittens' Chelsea career. But given the competition for minutes, he will need to show a bit more if he is to be sure of making the left-wing spot his own next season. Estevao continues to impress Estevao announced himself to the Chelsea faithful in style on Friday night, netting the Blues' opening goal against Bayer Leverkusen on his first start for the west London club. The 18-year-old came on to rapturous applause in the second-half against AC Milan this afternoon and followed up his impressive showing against Leverkusen with another dazzling display. Within minutes of his introduction, Estevao had won the Blues a penalty, confidently dispatched by Delap, and he continued to cause problems for the 10 men of Milan as Chelsea ran out 4-1 victors. Such is the confidence with which Estevao has played since pulling on a Chelsea shirt, the teenager even assumed corner-taking responsibilities against Milan. The young winger is already making himself an indispensable part of Maresca's side. There is competition for places throughout Chelsea's squad, not least on the wings, but Estevao has already established himself as a vital cog for the Blues heading into the new season. Pedro and Delap prosper despite competition Joao Pedro has hit the ground running like few Chelsea forwards before him. His stooped header after eight minutes doubled Chelsea's lead against a hapless Milan side and made it five goals in five appearances for the Brazilian. Pedro is the complete package, but it's not just goals that the 23-year-old provides. Able to drop deep to receive the ball or run in behind, he drew Milan debutant Coubis into a rash challenge that gave the referee no option but to award a red card. His pressing also caused Milan problems. Winning the ball back high up the pitch, he forced Mike Maignan into a rushed clearance that allowed Chelsea to regain possession and keep their finger on the pulse in a rampant 20-minute spell at the start of the first-half. Pedro has yet to put a foot wrong in a Chelsea shirt, but he will have to keep up these performances with Delap breathing down his neck. The Englishman replaced Pedro on the hour mark and grabbed two goals to continue his own fine form in front of goal. While selection problems continue to mount for Maresca at the back, one headache he will be glad of is the one provided by Pedro and Delap, who are both making strong claims for minutes heading into the new campaign.
CNA
14-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Modric joins Milan in one-year deal
Croatia captain Luka Modric, who left Real Madrid after 13 years at the LaLiga club, has completed his move to AC Milan on a one-year deal with an option to extend until June 2027, the Serie A side said on Monday. The 39-year-old midfielder's arrival was confirmed by newly-appointed Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month. Modric will wear the number 14 shirt, Milan said in a statement. Modric, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, announced in May that he would leave Real after the Club World Cup. He has made 597 appearances for the Spanish club, winning 28 trophies including four LaLiga and six Champions League titles. He played his last game for Real on Wednesday, coming on as a second-half substitute during a 4-0 loss to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals. "It's a bitter end... he's a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He'll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today," Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said after the match. Modric, considered Croatia's greatest player of all time, has represented the country 188 times, scoring 28 goals. He won the Golden Ball at World Cup 2018, where he led Croatia to the final for the first time. He also won the Ballon d'Or the same year, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious annual award since 2007. Modric's arrival reinforces a Milan midfield that also features Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with Samuele Ricci joining from Torino earlier this month. Milan, who failed to qualify for a European competition after finishing eighth in the Italian top-flight league last season, begin their Serie A campaign against newly-promoted Cremonese on August 23.
CNA
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Milan's Conceicao embraces pressure ahead of Coppa Italia final
AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao urged his players to embrace the pressure ahead of Wednesday's Coppa Italia final as he stressed the importance of ending a tough season on a high. With two matches of a disappointing Serie A season remaining for the eighth-placed team, a Coppa Italia victory over Bologna in the final in Rome would be a silver lining for Conceicao's side who also lifted the Italian Super Cup in January. "It will surely be a pleasure if we can win this trophy and satisfy the fans in a difficult year. From the outside, we may seem angry, but it's not the case. We have immense joy in playing this final," Conceicao told reporters. "This pressure is part of Milan's history. It's normal in these big clubs. We must only focus on tomorrow and be ready." For Conceicao, Rome's Stadio Olimpico is familiar territory, having spent time at Lazio as a player. "This stadium has surely given me satisfaction as a player, but it's the past. Tomorrow, we'll need to be at our best against a team that fights every duel like it was the last one,' he said. After beating Bologna 3-1 in Serie A on Friday, Conceicao was keeping his cards close to his chest on his starting lineup. "I'm not saying it, I haven't even told them (the players). They don't know," he said adding that striker Rafael Leao and midfielder Youssouf Fofana both will be involved after missing Friday's win.
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Milan's Conceicao embraces pressure ahead of Coppa Italia final
May 13 (Reuters) - AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao urged his players to embrace the pressure ahead of Wednesday's Coppa Italia final as he stressed the importance of ending a tough season on a high. With two matches of a disappointing Serie A season remaining for the eighth-placed team, a Coppa Italia victory over Bologna in the final in Rome would be a silver lining for Conceicao's side who also lifted the Italian Super Cup in January. "It will surely be a pleasure if we can win this trophy and satisfy the fans in a difficult year. From the outside, we may seem angry, but it's not the case. We have immense joy in playing this final," Conceicao told reporters. "This pressure is part of Milan's history. It's normal in these big clubs. We must only focus on tomorrow and be ready." For Conceicao, Rome's Stadio Olimpico is familiar territory, having spent time at Lazio as a player. "This stadium has surely given me satisfaction as a player, but it's the past. Tomorrow, we'll need to be at our best against a team that fights every duel like it was the last one,' he said. After beating Bologna 3-1 in Serie A on Friday, Conceicao was keeping his cards close to his chest on his starting lineup. "I'm not saying it, I haven't even told them (the players). They don't know," he said adding that striker Rafael Leao and midfielder Youssouf Fofana both will be involved after missing Friday's win. "Positive results improve the atmosphere; I'm aware I have a healthy group," Conceicao said.
