With Éric Ciotti, can Jean-Pierre Rivère still be a normal president at Nice? | OneFootball

Jean-Pierre Rivère is campaigning in Nice alongside Éric Ciotti while running OGC Nice. According to L'Équipe, the dual role has stirred little reaction, and he is less withdrawn than promised.

He returned in December, just six months after leaving, having previously presided for nearly 14 years. He framed it as rescuing a side that slid to 14th in Ligue 1.

Former president Maurice Cohen handles the daily running, with Rivère steering strategy. He vows to keep politics and the presidency separate and to avoid cross-favouring. The mandate lasts five months and he hopes to be Ciotti’s first deputy by late May.

The Rassemblement National will not field a rival to Ciotti. Inside the squad and among supporters, politics is largely a non-issue, though some are quietly uneasy. The initial local shock has faded, and Rivère is still viewed mainly through football.

In Christian Estrosi’s Horizons camp, ethics delegate Marc Concas argues Rivère’s return creates a conflict of interest that could make Ciotti’s list ineligible. Ciotti has been a deputy since 2007 and has chances against Estrosi.

Despite promising to step back, he fronted Claude Puel’s presentation and Elye Wahi’s arrival, both moves initiated under Fabrice Bocquet. He is frequently present and was visible at Thursday’s partners’ event and at the 1-1 draw with Strasbourg, attended by Estrosi.

Source: L'Équipe