The Nice players Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga have been placed on sick leave after the team were confronted by supporters upon their return from a 3-1 defeat at Lorient.
Moffi was given a week’s leave and Boga five days, both effective from Monday, after an estimated 400 fans gathered outside the club’s training centre on Sunday night. The pair were verbally and physically abused as they left the team bus after the travelling party was swamped by ultras unhappy at a sixth consecutive loss in all competitions. The club’s sporting director, Florian Maurice, was also among those targeted.
Two fans are understood to have boarded the bus to vent their grievances before the players, initially reluctant to leave the vehicle, alighted. The resulting attack means Moffi, the Nigeria striker, will miss next Sunday’s home match against Angers after being signed off by Nice’s medical staff. Boga, the former Chelsea and Birmingham winger, could return if he is deemed ready. According to one report in France they were spat on, punched, kicked and subjected to racist abuse. As well as any physical injury, the players are understood to be psychologically shaken.
In a statement on Tuesday, the French professional football league (LFP) condemned the attacks and said it would help the affected players in seeking redress. “These assaults, which are totally unacceptable, undermine the integrity of the players and the values of football,” it said.
“The LFP announces that it will join as a civil party in the complaints filed by the players, in order to fully support their approach and contribute to ensuring that all light is shed on these serious facts. The LFP expresses its full support to the players concerned and to OGC Nice, and reaffirms its determination to guarantee the safety of all football actors.”
Nice will await a police report before deciding on their response. One available option could be to press charges against the alleged perpetrators. The game with Angers, not usually an occasion likely to bring flashpoints, will now be played amid heightened security arrangements.
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Although Nice sit 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 by their bitter rivals Marseille on 21 November. They are the only one of 36 Europa League competitors to be without a point from five games and were beaten 3-0 in Porto last Thursday. Nice are owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has a minority stake in Manchester United.
