Nigeria forward Terem Moffi has met France’s Sports Minister Marina Ferrari after he and OGC Nice teammate Jérémie Boga were assaulted by angry supporters during a confrontation at the club’s training centre.
The incident unfolded on Sunday night as around 400 fans confronted players and staff following a 3–1 loss at Lorient, Nice’s sixth straight defeat in all competitions.
Several players, including Moffi, were subjected to spitting, punching, racist insults and physical intimidation. Sporting director Florian Maurice was also targeted.
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Ferrari had earlier issued a strongly worded statement on her X account, saying:
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the unacceptable violence targeting the management and players of OGC Nice.
I want to express my full support for them. Nothing can justify these acts, which target those who dedicate themselves to football every day.
These serious incidents, caused by a few individuals, have nothing to do with being a fan. I will always defend those who bring our stadiums to life, never those who resort to violence and who must be punished for it.”
After meeting Moffi and Boga on Tuesday afternoon, she reiterated her stance, stressing that the government’s priority is ensuring the safety of footballers and confronting extremist supporter behaviour.
Both Moffi, 26, and Boga, 28, have been signed off sick, Moffi for the entire week and Boga for at least five days. Reports in France say the pair have told those close to them they no longer intend to play for the club.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Local outlet Nice-Matin reports that recent racist abuse, combined with Sunday’s confrontation, has left both players feeling the relationship with sections of the fanbase is beyond repair. Despite Ferrari’s reassurance of government support, the pair plan to leave in the winter transfer window.
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The aftermath has deepened the turmoil at Nice. Head coach Franck Haise is said to be considering resignation, while sporting director Florian Maurice has stepped back from his duties after being targeted during the incident.
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Nice sit bottom of their Europa League group and have lost four consecutive Ligue 1 matches, but their on-field struggles are now overshadowed by supporter hostility and growing instability.
