OGC Nice urges respect and restraint towards defender Ali Abdi after Tunisia trip row | OneFootball

OGC Nice have backed defender Ali Abdi after he left for Tunisia on the eve of the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 play-off second leg against Saint-Étienne. The club said in a statement on Thursday that it condemned threats aimed at the left-back.

Abdi had to complete administrative procedures with the Tunisian national team.

The play-offs are not on the FIFA calendar, and Tunisia’s federation sought to recover their player quickly.

The choice between defending his club’s colours and honouring a World Cup call-up with his country was characterised as a particularly difficult human and sporting decision.

A plea was made for everyone to show restraint and respect towards a player viewed as a victim of these events, as is the club.

Source: L'Équipe