OGC Nice fans invaded the pitch with fury on Sunday night after a goalless draw with Metz meant the Ineos-owned club faces a relegation play-off as they fight to keep their place in Ligue 1. The French side needed a victory at the Allianz Riviera to ensure they remained in the top flight for another season, following a dismal campaign that has been marred by ugly scenes.
Match Outcome and Relegation Threat
However, they could not break down a Metz team that had already cemented their position as the league's bottom side, finishing 15 points adrift of Claude Puel's team before the fixture. This result means Nice will now enter a two-legged play-off against St-Etienne, who finished third in the French second tier, in a bid to save themselves from relegation.
Pitch Invasion and Fan Anger
Upon the full-time whistle, Nice ultras stormed the pitch in a rage, wearing balaclavas and holding flares, forcing players to scurry down the tunnel to avoid confrontation. The ultras had already moved from their usual spot in the upper tier of the stadium mid-match, and it became increasingly clear that they were preparing an invasion if the result went against them, which it did.
The fan fury was directed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, who have overseen a dramatic downward spiral at the club over the past year. The club started the season in the Champions League after a fourth-placed finish last term but now find themselves on the brink of their first relegation to Ligue 2 in nearly 20 years.
Pre-Match Optimism Turns Sour
Before the game, the message was positive, with fans displaying a banner that read 'Everyone to Paris' as Nice prepared to face Lens in the Coupe de France final at the Stade de France on Friday. But soon, the mood changed. During the match, fans chanted the French equivalent of 'Get your acts together' as they sensed the required result was slipping away.
Previous Incidents of Fan Violence
The chaos at full-time was reminiscent of scenes back in November, when Nice supporters attacked their own players at the training ground after the side's sixth successive defeat. When the team bus arrived after a 3-1 loss to Lorient, around 400 angry supporters were waiting for the players and staff. According to reports, players Boga and Moffi were punched, kicked, and spat on, with some blows aimed at their genitals, and racist slurs were also directed at them. Moffi played the full 90 minutes in that game, while Boga came off the bench.
Ratcliffe's Ownership and Future
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who purchased the club in 2019, is now looking for a cut-price deal to offload Nice as he focuses his efforts on Manchester United. However, he is currently no closer to finding a buyer for the troubled club.
