Following the chaotic scenes at the Allianz Riviera during the final Ligue 1 match against Metz (0-0), the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) disciplinary committee has handed down its verdict on OGC Nice. The club will face AS Saint-Étienne in a high-stakes relegation playoff on May 29 at 20:45, but with a critical caveat: the match will be played behind closed doors.
The decision stems from multiple breaches of stadium regulations, including pitch invasions by Nice’s ultras and the use of pyrotechnics, which occurred as the team secured a point in their final league fixture. In response, the LFP imposed a total stadium closure for two Ligue 1 games at the Allianz Riviera, with an additional suspended match. The first leg of the playoff will take place at Geoffroy-Guichard on May 26.
Jean-Pierre Rivère, who resumed his role as president mid-season, expressed frustration over the sanctions but acknowledged the club’s difficult campaign. “When you commit to supporting a team, you stand by them until the very end,” he stated, emphasizing the fans’ unwavering dedication despite the team’s struggles. “We knew it would be tough, but not to this extent.”
disciplinary committee’s key rulings
player suspensions
The committee also handed down suspensions to several players for accumulating five yellow cards across competitions. Among them:
- Benjamin André (LOSC Lille)
- Mahdi Camara (Stade Rennais FC)
- Christian Mawissa (AS Monaco)
- Elye Wahi (OGC Nice)
additional sanctions
A separate ruling targeted Paris Saint-Germain’s supporters for pyrotechnic use and visual displays during a May 10 match against Brest. The club’s Auteuil stand will be closed for one league game next season. Meanwhile, Nice’s sanctions include:
- Two full stadium closures for Ligue 1 home matches
- One suspended closure
These penalties take immediate effect, leaving Nice to navigate the playoff without its usual home advantage—a bitter pill for a club fighting for survival.
