“Unacceptable and Unbelievable” – Nice Stars Leave Squad After Violent Fan Clash
Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga have been granted temporary leave by OGC Nice after the two forwards were allegedly assaulted by their own supporters following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at FC Lorient. The incident, confirmed to ESPN by multiple sources close to the club, has sent shockwaves through French football and raised serious questions about player safety and fan relations at Nice.
A Tense Night Turns Violent
According to sources familiar with the situation, nearly 400 Ultras gathered at the club’s training facility on Boulevard Jean-Luciano late Sunday, waiting for the players to return from Brittany. The atmosphere quickly escalated when two fans boarded the team bus to voice their fury. The confrontation spilled outside once the squad began to disembark.
The situation deteriorated rapidly. Boga has been placed on a five-day medical leave; Moffi on a week-long absence. Both players reported being punched, kicked and spat at by supporters. Witnesses told ESPN one of the attackers pulled Moffi’s hair while other teammates attempted to shield the striker. Goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf eventually had to intervene and escort him to safety inside the club building.
On Monday morning, the two players filed formal complaints with local police. Authorities declined to comment publicly on the case.
Club Responds: “The Excesses Are Unacceptable”
Later in the day, Nice issued a strong statement condemning the violence:
“The club understands the frustration created by the succession of poor displays… However, the excesses we saw during this gathering are unacceptable. A few members of the club have been attacked. OGC Nice give them its full support and condemn these acts with the highest toughness.”
The club’s stance is clear: performance issues will not justify violence. But the statement also acknowledged the growing tension around the team amid their slump in form.
Results Fueling Anger
The loss at Lorient marked Nice’s sixth straight defeat in all competitions. With the club slipping to 10th in Ligue 1, emotions were already running high. Boga and Moffi had been singled out in recent weeks by some fans for what they perceived as poor attitude and lack of intensity.
Yet the treatment wasn’t uniform. Manager Franck Haise, whose work remains trusted by a large portion of the fanbase, was reportedly applauded by the same group of supporters. Meanwhile, captain Melvin Bard and academy-graduate Sofiane Diop faced no hostility.
Sporting director Florian Maurice wasn’t as fortunate—security staff reportedly had to shield him from the crowd as he made his way to his car.
Shock, Fear and Frustration Inside the Squad
Players and staff eventually made their way into the building, but the damage was already done—physically and mentally. Several squad members blamed the incident on inadequate security arrangements.
“How can they not protect us more? It was unbelievable and scary,” one player told ESPN.
The remark exposes a deeper concern: whether the club has failed to anticipate or properly prepare for heightened tensions during the ongoing losing streak. The aftermath goes beyond injuries—it’s about trust, morale and safety.
What Happens Next?
For Nice, the implications stretch far beyond a single disturbing night. How do the players return to training knowing the same supporters are waiting outside the gates? Can a fan-player relationship be repaired after it turns violent? And how does the club protect its personnel going forward?
The team host Angers this weekend in what could prove a pivotal match—not just for their season, but for the club’s wider stability.
Tensions in French football between Ultras and players are nothing new. But incidents crossing into physical violence bring uncomfortable questions for the league, the club, and a fan culture that often prides itself on passion. At what point does that passion become a threat?
For now, Moffi and Boga remain away from the squad as investigations continue. And the biggest story around Nice isn’t tactical problems or league position—it’s whether their own training ground is still a safe place to return to.