Nice to play Coupe de France tie vs Saint-Étienne behind closed doors | OneFootball

Nice will play their Coupe de France Round of 64 tie against Saint-Étienne behind closed doors after the LFP’s disciplinary commission imposed a full stadium shutdown in response to the serious incidents that occurred during the 5–1 home defeat to Marseille on 21 November.

The decision, published on Wednesday evening by the Ligue de Football Profesionnel‘s disciplinary commission, means the Allianz Riviera will be completely closed on 21 December, with the match kicking off at 14:45. The sanction follows a series of disturbances attributed to sections of the OGC Nice support during the loss to OM.

According to the commission, the incidents included “the throwing of an object that struck a participant, causing a first temporary interruption of the match; the massive use of pyrotechnic devices leading to a second interruption; and reported verbal expressions.” The accumulation of these factors prompted the LFP to opt for the most severe action available. This occurred after Mason Greenwood double Marseille’s lead over Nice, and celebrated in front of the home fans.

Partial closure also issued for upcoming Ligue 1 fixture

The sanctions come into effect on 9 December, meaning Nice’s home match this Saturday against Angers (15:00) will be played under normal conditions — despite being classified a high-risk fixture.The sporting sanction lands at a moment when Nice are already engulfed in a wider institutional and sporting crisis- one that now involves a police investigation, player complaints, and growing anger from the club’s supporters.The tension that had been building for weeks exploded on Sunday night after a sixth consecutive defeat, this time away to Lorient (3–1). When the squad returned to the training centre close to midnight, they were met by around 200 hostile supporters staging what local media described as a “descente” — a pressure action aimed at confronting the players.

What followed is now the subject of an active police investigation.

Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga filed complaints for “aggravated violence”, alleging they were subjected to punches, kicks, spitting and insults, according to prosecutor Damien Martinelli. Both players were signed off on medical leave the following day.GFFN | George Boxall