Auxerre fans’ unwavering support faces survival test against Nice | OneFootball

Auxerre’s fans have stood by Christophe Pelissier throughout a tortuous campaign, and they hope that loyalty brings survival when Nice visit on Sunday. The mood is defiant, one year on from relegation.

According to L’Équipe, flares lit for the Ultras’ 35th anniversary during the 0-0 draw with Nantes on 11 April triggered a partial stand closure until season’s end, play-offs included. With those fans relocated, the noise held in last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Angers.

A patient, local culture has taken root. The Ultras say they do not turn on their own, avoiding protest strikes seen at Metz and Nantes, already down to L2.

That stance extended to Sékou Mara, the 23-year-old forward loaned by Strasbourg last summer, who finally scored his first two goals and added an assist against Angers. A season-ticket holder argued booing would have been counterproductive while he was giving everything.

Ultras president Jonathan Ernie contends that, against Le Havre on 26 October aside, the players have always given their maximum and none has cheated. He also felt the coach’s public thanks.

Pelissier arrived in October 2022 and that campaign ended with his only relegation, yet he has five top-flight survivals in seasons he began, with Amiens in 2018 and 2019, Lorient in 2021 and 2022, and Auxerre in 2025.

With the team in the play-off place, Pelissier leans on that backing and frames Nice as a semi-final, three points ahead but with worse goal difference, to set up a final at Lille next Sunday.

Source: L'Équipe