French judicial authorities have opened an investigation into fan violence against OGC Nice players, leading to formal complaints from two team members following a string of poor performances.
The public prosecutor’s office in France announced Tuesday that an inquiry had been launched into aggressions suffered by Nice players on Sunday. The incident occurred after the club’s 3-1 defeat to Lorient.
The aggressions were reportedly carried out by fans of the Nice club.
Nigerian forward Terem Moffi and French-Ivorian midfielder Jeremie Boga, both Nice players, filed formal complaints. This prompted Prosecutor Damien Martinelli to transfer the investigation to the Nice judicial police.
Accusations under review include aggravated violence, participation in a group planning aggressions, and failure to assist in a crime against physical integrity.
The French Professional Football League (LFP) expressed its support for the complaints filed by the two players. The LFP also stated that the aggressions were “totally unacceptable.”
The violence followed Nice’s sixth consecutive loss across all national and international competitions. This losing streak reportedly angered some of the club’s radical supporters.
Fans allegedly waited for the team’s arrival at their training center, where they confronted players and issued threats. Reports also indicate physical aggressions against Moffi and Boga.
Florian Maurice, Nice’s sporting director, was also reportedly targeted during the confrontation.
Nice currently sits 10th in France’s Ligue 1, with 17 points from 14 matches, having suffered four consecutive league defeats. In the Europa League, the team is last in its group with five losses in five rounds.