French soccer icon Emmanuel Petit condemns arson and looting, warns Macron to ‘protect honest citizens’

Former France midfielder Emmanuel Petit condemned the arson, looting and clashes during riots across France, saying those taking part were harming the country. His remarks matter because he also challenged President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders to protect law-abiding residents and address public concerns.

Petit said he supported peaceful demonstrators frustrated by living costs and tax pressure, while distinguishing them from people committing crimes. More than 2,400 people had been arrested, according to the article; it says the unrest began over school policy and living costs and escalated over the weekend, with cars burned and shops looted.