OGC Nice handed Ligue 1 relegation playoff ban as disciplinary sanctions confirmed
OGC Nice’s upcoming Ligue 1 relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne on May 29 at 8:45 PM will be played behind closed doors. The Ligue de Football Professionnel’s disciplinary board confirmed the sanctions, which include a full stadium ban for two matches and a suspended closure for another, following an incident at the Allianz Riviera on May 17. The return leg at Geoffroy-Guichard is scheduled for May 26 at 8:45 PM.
Rivère: “When you support a team, you stand by them to the end”
This means the Aiglons will also begin the next season without fans in the stands, whether in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2. Club president Jean-Pierre Rivère expressed his disappointment, stating, “I regret the outcome and what happened. As long as there’s hope, you have to support the team. We’re going through a very tough time—we knew it would be difficult, but not to this extent.”
He added, “There’s understandable anger after such a tough season. When you return, you know it’s going to be difficult, and survival is the goal. We’ve fallen short so far, but we still have two matches left. I believe that when you support a team, you stand by them to the end.” However, this support will have to be shown from outside the stadium on May 29 when the club’s fate is decided.
Key decisions from the LFP disciplinary committee:
Suspensions:
Ligue 1 McDonald’s
A one-match suspension applies following a fifth booking (across Ligue 1, Coupe de France, or Trophée des Champions) or after the revocation of a suspended ban. These suspensions take effect starting May 26, 2025.
- Benjamin ANDRE (LOSC Lille)
- Mahdi CAMARA (Stade Rennais FC)
- Christian MAWISSA (AS Monaco)
- Elye WAHI (OGC Nice)
Pitchside behavior:
Ligue 1 McDonald’s
33rd matchday: Paris Saint-Germain vs Stade Brestois 29 (May 10, 2025)
Fan behavior at Parc des Princes: Use of pyrotechnics and visual displays.
Sanction: One-match ban for the Auteuil stand—to be applied during the first home Ligue 1 match of the 2026/27 season.
34th matchday: OGC Nice vs FC Metz (May 17, 2025)
Fan behavior at Allianz Riviera: Use and throwing of pyrotechnics, pitch invasion, and damage at the final whistle.
Sanction: Two full stadium closures and one suspended closure at the Allianz Riviera—effective immediately.
Further details to follow.
