Nice faces major setback ahead of Saint-Étienne playoff clash

The OGC Nice are set to face a daunting challenge in the upcoming Ligue 1 relegation playoffs against AS Saint-Étienne. The club has just received devastating news from the French Football League (LFP) disciplinary commission, which handed down severe sanctions following recent off-field incidents.

Just days after their disappointing 1-1 draw with Metz—a result that effectively sealed their fate—frustrated Nice supporters stormed the Allianz Riviera pitch, hurling pyrotechnic devices and causing significant damage.

LFP imposes harsh penalties on Nice

In response, the LFP has levied heavy sanctions against the Côte d’Azur club. Nice will play their home leg of the playoff matchup behind closed doors, with one match suspended. The first leg, scheduled for May 26 in Saint-Étienne, will proceed as planned, but the return leg in Nice on May 29 will take place without any spectators.

This punishment adds another layer of difficulty to an already precarious situation for the Niçois. The club’s hopes of securing top-flight status now face even greater uncertainty, compounded by potential absences of key international players.

World Cup-bound stars may miss playoffs

Complicating matters further, the FIFA has denied Nice’s request for a special exemption. This means several first-team players called up for the upcoming World Cup may be unavailable for the high-stakes playoff fixtures against Saint-Étienne.

The combination of disciplinary sanctions and player unavailability paints a grim picture for Nice’s chances of survival. With so much at stake, the club’s management and players must now navigate a path through these unprecedented challenges to keep their Ligue 1 dreams alive.