THE ex-president of a French football club has been brutally shot dead “possibly by sniper” while attending his mother’s funeral.

The 71-year-old man had just paid his respects to his late mother on the island of Corsica when he was targeted by a killer lying in wait at the cemetery, authorities said.

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The former head of the AC Ajaccio football club, was shot dead during his mother’s funeral on January 12Credit: AFP
 

Athletic Club Ajaccien v Angers Sporting Club de l Ouest - Ligue 2 BKT
Alain became president of AC Ajaccio in 2008Credit: Getty
 

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Police officers work at the crime scene at the cemeteryCredit: AFP
Alain Orsoni, a former Corsican separatist leader and former president of the AC Ajaccio Football Club, was struck by a single bullet to the chest, police said.

Father Roger Polge had finished conducting the funeral ceremony for Alain’s mother, Marinette Orsoni, 92, when mourners heard a gun shot.

“It was a moment of sorrow and grief, suddenly, we heard a gunshot, and Alain fell dead,” Father Polge told France3.

Emergency services were called to the cemetery on the Mediterranean French island around 4pm but Alain could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead.