Two OGC Nice players, Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga, were violently assaulted by a group of their own supporters following the club’s 3–1 defeat to FC Lorient, sparking outrage across French football and prompting a police investigation.
The incident occurred late Sunday night when the team returned to the club’s training centre. Around 400 core supporters had gathered outside the facility waiting angrily for the team.
According to reports, some ultras boarded the bus and confronted players before violence broke out. As the squad stepped off, Moffi and Boga were punched, kicked, spat at, and subjected to racist abuse. Witnesses said some assailants pulled their hair and struck them repeatedly while security struggled to intervene. Sporting director Florian Maurice was also targeted and had to be escorted away.
Both players have been placed on medical leave, with Moffi reportedly sidelined for a week and Boga for several days. On Monday, the pair filed formal complaints with the local police, who have now opened an investigation into the attacks. The club issued a strong statement condemning the violence as “unacceptable” and expressed full support for the players involved.
OGC Nice has been under intense pressure in recent weeks after suffering six consecutive losses across competitions. Sources say frustration among supporters had been building, with some ultras expressing hostility toward Boga over past controversies and criticising Moffi for what they described as poor attitude and recent performances.
Players within the squad have described the ordeal as “scary” and “unbelievable,” questioning why adequate security measures were not in place despite the club being aware of growing fan anger. Football organisations and commentators across France have also condemned the assaults, calling for stricter measures to protect players and prevent further escalation of violence.
The incident has raised serious concerns about fan behaviour and club security protocols, as well as the broader culture of hostility surrounding football during periods of poor results. OGC Nice is expected to cooperate fully with authorities as investigations continue.
