Violence Erupts at Sir Jim Ratcliffe's OGC Nice as Players Attacked and Fans Storm the Pitch in Shocking Scenes
While it remains uncertain whether INEOS will see a profitable return on their investment in struggling Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, chaos is unfolding at another club under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership - OGC Nice.
French football has consistently been marked by instability with crises emerging regularly—longtime Ligue 1 observers can confirm this pattern. As the winter break draws near in the 2025–26 campaign, OGC Nice finds itself further damaging the reputation of what should be an appealing yet disorganized league.
To comprehend how a team with Ligue 1's fifth-largest budget and consistent strong performances in recent years could find itself in a situation where fans physically attack players, one must examine the season's opening weeks.
Nice secured Champions League preliminary qualification through their fourth-place finish in 2024–25, but were quickly knocked out by Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The club's transfer strategy faced immediate criticism, revealing both structural deficiencies and on-pitch difficulties—particularly serious concerns about financial sustainability.
A €64 million net deficit was recorded in 2023, forcing the club to authorize five key departures during the summer to generate revenue—Evann Guessand to Aston Villa, Marcin Bułka to NEOM SC, Badredine Bouanani to VfB Stuttgart, Gaëtan Laborde to Al-Diraiyah and Pablo Rosario to FC Porto. The decline has continued from that point.
Inadequate Signings and European Catastrophe
Following a sluggish season opening, Nice discovered some momentum and form, sitting merely three points behind second position in Ligue 1 before Matchday 10. However, everything has collapsed since that point.
During November, they suffered six defeats across all tournaments, destroying any prospects of European qualification for the following season, and now find themselves deeply involved in a relegation fight. The 3–1 loss to Lorient this weekend demonstrated how their summer transfer activity has harmed them; among the eight new signings, only two—Yehvann Diouf and Tiago Gouveia—started the match.
They've also become a source of ridicule in Europe, appearing to experience a complete identity breakdown rather than merely poor results. They haven't earned a single point in the Europa League and, even worse, are currently enduring 17 consecutive continental matches without victory. Ridiculed domestically in France, they are merely a shell of their previous form. Following the 3–1 loss to German club Freiburg in October, coach Franck Haise delivered a frustrated press conference.
"I'm completely fed up with losing matches," he stated directly.
A Coach Considering Departure
Six weeks later following a devastating loss to Porto, Haise suggested in a press conference that he was prepared to step down. "Naturally I'm questioning myself. The club's leadership can confirm this, as I proposed to be the necessary change several days ago, following Marseille. I thought to myself, 'If that's what's required, I'm willing to accept it.' However, it appears that, currently, that's not the answer.
"I'm reconnecting with my squad, my coaching staff and the organization. If I must be the catalyst, I will be. It would benefit the club. Today, since that's not the remedy, I'm battling with our resources, with my own. I'll continue fighting while I remain in charge of Nice."
The reality is that dismissing Haise would be financially devastating for Nice. With his contract renewed last September through 2029, he would receive 43 times his estimated €200,000 monthly wage—approximately €8.6 million (£7.6 million/$10 million)—without a mutual termination agreement. This isn't a wise decision for a club seeking to minimize its financial losses.
This past weekend's defeat in Lorient intensified the situation. This time, the club's fans voiced their frustration. At the match's conclusion, a confrontation occurred between the players, headed by Sofiane Diop, and the supporters who had traveled to Brittany. Though peaceful yet tense, this exchange was merely the beginning of an evening that would turn violent and disturbing.
Players Attacked by Furious Fans
According to French publication L'Équipe's Tuesday report, approximately 400 fans awaited Nice's players at the club's training facility on Sunday evening. As they prepared to enter their personal cars to head home, the players were confronted by aggressive individuals expressing their anger.
Beyond receiving verbal harassment, two players, Terem Moffi and Jeremie Boga, a former Chelsea academy player, were allegedly struck by their own supporters. Hit on the head, torso and private areas, plus being spat upon, both players endured the worst of the fans' rage. ESPN reports they have subsequently been granted leave.
Moffi allegedly upset supporters by sharing laughs with Lorient's president, his former team, after the match, according to L'Équipe. Marseille-born Boga, meanwhile, reportedly enraged fans by providing match tickets to family members who support Marseille for the rivalry game.
Florian Maurice, Nice's sporting director, was also confronted by the irate supporters.
Nice, remarkably, delayed 24 hours before releasing a statement about the incident, posting Monday evening: "On Sunday, following their return from Lorient, the Aiglons were met by a substantial crowd outside the training and development facility. The club recognizes the disappointment caused by a sequence of poor results and performances that don't reflect its standards.
"Nevertheless, the excessive behavior witnessed during this gathering is completely unacceptable. Multiple club personnel were confronted. OGC Nice provides them complete backing and denounces these actions most strongly."
No Response From INEOS
Tuesday morning saw the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), France's equivalent to England's FA, adopt a stronger position with a harsh statement.
"The LFP strongly condemns the violent acts perpetrated against OGC Nice's players and personnel. These assaults, which are completely inexcusable, compromise the dignity of football participants and the sport's principles. The LFP announces it will join as a civil party in the complaints submitted by the players, to fully support their case and help illuminate these grave incidents.
"The LFP expresses complete solidarity with the affected players and OGC Nice, and reinforces its commitment to ensuring the security of all football participants."
INEOS has maintained silence thus far and Ratcliffe, possibly concentrating on matters at Old Trafford with United, has been more withdrawn than usual regarding Nice. This has prompted criticism in French media that absent leadership and oversight might be responsible for current circumstances. Commentator Daniel Riolo told RMC Sport: "When you reach such deterioration, it indicates that nothing is being controlled within an organization. It suggests there is a profound crisis."
French football is accustomed to turmoil, but this situation appears exceptionally severe.