Nice Fans Turn Violent: Players Under Attack After Ligue 1 Defeat
2 December 2025
The French league backs the players' complaints.
Incident and Aftermath
Supporters of OGC Nice were involved in violence and assaults against players after the club's sixth straight defeat in all competitions, a 3-1 loss to Lorient in Ligue 1.
The incident sparked unanimous dismay across French sport, after the unacceptable violence targeted Nice players and staff.
Damian Martinelli, the public prosecutor for Nice, said two players, whose names were not disclosed, filed a complaint.
Martinelli added that an investigation had been opened into aggravated assault, involvement in a group planning violence or vandalism, and failing to prevent such a crime.
The players reported being kicked, punched, and spat on by fans, before they fled toward the training center.
In an official statement, Nice said: "The club understands the frustration arising from a run of poor results and performances that fail to meet expectations."
He added: "Nevertheless, the incidents that occurred during this gathering are unacceptable; many club members were assaulted and targeted, and Nice fully supports them and condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms."
The French top-flight league, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), said the assaults are unacceptable and undermine the integrity and values of the game.
The league said it would join the complaints as a civil party to ensure a thorough investigation.
After 14 rounds, Nice sat tenth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Lens, with seven losses and 26 goals conceded.
Reaction and Standing
Two punchlines lines added at the end of the article: Punchline 1 and Punchline 2 are intended as light humor to close the piece on a lighter note. (Yes, even football news can use a wink now and then.)
Punchline 1: Maybe next time the fans should stick to shouting "Go team"—it's cheaper than fines.
Punchline 2: Note to fans: the only thing you should be throwing is shade, not punches.
