Barriers, CRS and calm around Allianz Riviera before Nice v Saint-Étienne | OneFootball

Calm scenes surrounded the Allianz Riviera as Nice prepared to host Saint-Étienne in a behind-closed-doors play-off second leg. According to L'Équipe, a prefectoral decree barred anyone presenting as, or behaving like, an OGC Nice supporter from the stadium area and the training ground from Friday until 2am on Saturday.

The match is closed to fans because of disturbances after Nice v Metz 15 days earlier, when supporters entered the pitch and flares were directed towards the presidential stand.

By around 18:00, about half a dozen CRS coaches were stationed at the north entrance. Barriers were also set up in front of every gate.

They had nothing to repel during the three hours before kick-off. No Nice shirts were visible in the Nice Valley gym or nearby shops.

At a nearby Swedish furniture store, staff said the heatwave had kept customers away all week. In the adjoining padel club, the few football tops were Didier Drogba’s Chelsea and Kylian Mbappé’s Real. The only red-and-black shirt spotted was Fleury, bearing the name Ikram Sidi Moussa.

Source: L'Équipe