Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga, players for OGC Nice, have been placed on sick leave following an attack by supporters after a 3-1 defeat at Lorient. Moffi has been given a week's leave and Boga five days, both effective from Monday, after around 400 fans gathered outside the club's training centre on Sunday evening.
The pair were verbally and physically abused as they left the team bus, with ultras unhappy at a sixth consecutive loss in all competitions. The club's sporting director, Florian Maurice, was also targeted. Two fans reportedly boarded the bus to vent grievances before players alighted. According to French reports, the players were spat on, punched, kicked, and subjected to racist abuse, leaving them psychologically shaken.
Moffi, a Nigeria striker, will miss next Sunday's home match against Angers after being signed off by medical staff. Boga, a former Chelsea and Birmingham winger, could return if deemed ready. The French professional football league (LFP) condemned the attacks, stating it would join as a civil party in any complaints filed by the players to seek redress.
Nice will await a police report before deciding on further action, including possible charges against alleged perpetrators. The match against Angers will now be played under heightened security. Nice sit 10th in Ligue 1, six points above relegation, but have lost four consecutive domestic games and are winless in the Europa League.
