Football – Ligue 1. Nice

Due to the use and throwing of pyrotechnic devices, invasion of the field, and damages committed by Nîmes supporters after the draw against bottom-of-the-table Metz on Sunday (0-0), the LFP disciplinary committee has penalized OGC Nice with two matches behind closed doors at the Allianz Riviera, and one suspended match.

Ranked sixteenth in the regular Ligue 1 season, OGC Nice will face Saint-Etienne (Ligue 2) at Geoffroy-Guichard on Tuesday, May 26 in the relegation/promotion playoff first leg, before hosting the Greens on Friday, May 29.

Qualified for the Coupe de France final, where they will play against Lens at the Stade de France on Friday, OGC Nice has had a mediocre season in Ligue 1, after finishing fourth in 2024-2025.

The club will appeal

In an initial response, Maurice Cohen, the vice-president of OGC Nice, indicated that the club will appeal the sanction imposed by the LFP on Wednesday. “Nothing is spared for us. It’s very sad because we really needed our supporters for the return match against Saint-Etienne. But we will try to stay focused for the cup and these playoffs, and save the club from relegation,” he further commented.

The Côte d’Azur club previously experienced a serious incident at the beginning of December with its supporters, who violently confronted players and staff upon their return from Lorient after a defeat.

This event played a part in the departure of coach Franck Haise at the end of 2025, who was replaced by Claude Puel, a former coach of the Côte d’Azur club, but who has not been able to get the team back on track.

This season, Nîmes players have regularly faced a lack of support, and even mockery, from their own fans.

Another sanction for the Gym: their forward Elye Wahi, who has scored five goals and provided one assist in the league since joining from Frankfurt in January, will miss the playoff first leg after receiving a suspension for a fifth warning.

As the sanction only takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, the Ivorian international (1 cap), who has been called up to represent Ivory Coast at the World Cup this summer, will be available for the Coupe de France final on Friday.