Boureima Amadou
Nice to play Ligue 1 relegation playoff behind closed doors against Saint-Étienne
The French Football League’s disciplinary committee has finalized sanctions against OGC Nice following crowd incidents during the final Ligue 1 match against FC Metz. The penalty means the Alps Riviera will host the Ligue 1-Ligue 2 playoff return leg behind closed doors.
Playoff details and sanctions explained
After the 0-0 draw that ended their season, Nice faces AS Saint-Étienne in a two-legged playoff to determine which club secures next year’s Ligue 1 spot. The first leg will be played at Geoffroy-Guichard on May 26 at 8:45 PM, while the decisive return match at the Allianz Riviera will proceed without spectators on May 29.
The disciplinary body handed down a two-match closed-door sanction for Nice, including one with immediate effect. This means the club will also open its next Ligue 1 or Ligue 2 home fixture without fans in attendance. Club president Jean-Pierre Rivère expressed disappointment at the season’s turbulent conclusion, acknowledging the team’s difficult situation while urging continued support for the players.
Rivère on the season’s challenges:
“While frustration is understandable given our tough campaign, when you support a team, you stand by them until the very end. We’re going through a very difficult time, but we still have two matches left. I firmly believe that true supporters never abandon their team, even when times are hard.”
Full disciplinary decisions
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Suspensions (Ligue 1 McDonald’s):
- Elye Wahi (Nice) – One-match ban effective May 26, 2026
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Police des Terrains sanctions:
- Nice vs Metz (May 17, 2026): Pyrotechnics, pitch invasion, and post-match damage led to two closed-door matches and one suspended closed-door match at Allianz Riviera
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Brest (May 10, 2026): Pyrotechnic use and visual expressions resulted in a one-match closed-door sanction for the Auteuil stand at Parc des Princes
As Nice prepares for its high-stakes playoff against Saint-Étienne, the club faces both sporting and off-field challenges. The coming weeks will test the team’s resilience as they battle to retain their Ligue 1 status while navigating the consequences of recent crowd behavior.
