OGC Nice is dismayed by the decision handed down today by the Higher Appeals Committee of the French Football Federation regarding the incidents that occurred during the match between OGC Nice and FC Metz on 17 May 2026.

As a reminder, the Disciplinary Committee of the Professional Football League (LFP) had initially imposed a sanction of two matches to be played entirely behind closed doors at the Allianz Riviera, as well as a third match suspended sentence.

Following an appeal by OGC Nice, the FFF’s Higher Appeals Committee decided to amend this sanction to two matches played entirely behind closed doors, accompanied by a one-point deduction suspended sentence for the 2026-27 season.

Whilst regretting the events that transpired, the club considers that the sanction imposed is tantamount to a travesty of justice in view of the measures taken by the club, its constant cooperation with the relevant authorities and the handling of the situation, which was, moreover, commended by the LFP delegates at the match.

For OGC Nice, having to play a play-off match – one that could be decisive for the club’s future and sporting survival – behind closed doors was already an extremely severe sanction. Depriving an entire stadium of such a crucial fixture appears, in our view, to be a particularly harsh measure, both in sporting and emotional terms.

The club also questions the real impact of the one-point deduction suspended sentence imposed for the 2026-27 season, given the current context of French football and the recurring use of pyrotechnics in the stands of many stadiums. Despite the efforts made by clubs to prevent their use – difficulties which the FFF itself was able to gauge first-hand during the organisation of the Coupe de France final – everyone knows that the mere use of flares is likely to result in the triggering of this suspension. In other words, this sanction already appears to be a foregone conclusion even before the start of next season.

In consequence, OGC Nice has decided to refer the matter to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee to seek conciliation.

The club also states that, should this approach prove unsuccessful, it reserves the right to take the matter to the Administrative Court to defend its rights.

OGC Nice remains fully committed to defending its interests whilst continuing its work on prevention and promoting responsible behaviour amongst all its supporters. 

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OGC Nice