The players Terem Moffi and Boga have been placed medical leave after their team faced an angry mob of supporters upon their return from a loss away to Lorient.
Incident Details
Approximately four hundred supporters gathered outside the team's training ground Sunday evening. Both players faced verbal and physical abuse as they left their coach once the group was swamped by hardcore fans unhappy at six straight defeats in all competitions. Sporting director Florian Maurice was also among the individuals targeted.
A pair of supporters reportedly entered the coach to express their anger prior to the squad, initially reluctant to leave, got off. According to one report in France they were spat on, punched, kicked and targeted with racist slurs. Beyond potential physical harm, the players are understood to be psychologically shaken.
Official Reactions
In a statement on Tuesday, the French professional football league (LFP) denounced the assaults and pledged support for those affected to seek justice.
“These attacks, which are utterly unacceptable, undermine the integrity of the players and the values of football,” it said.
The LFP announces its intention to join as a claimant in any legal complaints by the players, to fully back their approach and help ensure full transparency on these grave incidents. The LFP expresses complete solidarity with the impacted players and to OGC Nice, and reiterated its commitment to guarantee the safety involved in football.
Nice will await an official police report before deciding on their response. One available option could be to press charges against those allegedly responsible. The game with Angers, not usually an occasion likely to bring flashpoints, will now take place amid heightened security arrangements.
Team Context
Despite sitting 10th in Ligue 1, six points above the relegation spots, they have lost their past four domestic games and were beaten 5-1 at home against arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille on 21 November. They are the only one of 36 Europa League competitors to be without a point after five matches and were beaten 3-0 in Porto recently. Nice are owned by Jim Ratcliffe, who has a minority stake in Manchester United.
