Nice to face st etienne in empty stadium after disciplinary sanctions
Nice set for behind-closed-doors showdown following Allianz Riviera chaos
The Ligue de Football Professionnel’s disciplinary committee has imposed a double punishment on Nice’s Allianz Riviera: two full stadium bans and one suspended closure, triggered by pyrotechnic incidents, pitch invasion, and post-match damage during the final Ligue 1 fixture against Metz.
The OGC Nice will be forced to play their upcoming relegation playoff second leg against AS Saint-Étienne in an empty stadium on May 29th. The club has already filed an appeal to contest these sanctions, hoping to secure approval to welcome spectators for the crucial match. Meanwhile, their trip to Geoffroy-Guichard on May 26th for the first leg will proceed without suspended striker Elye Wahi in the lineup.
The disciplinary body’s decision highlights the league’s zero-tolerance policy toward supporter misconduct. The sanctions specifically reference the use of flares, unauthorized pitch access, and damage to stadium facilities following the final whistle in the 34th and decisive round of Ligue 1.
Consequences ripple across Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain faces its own sanctions after similar infractions at Parc des Princes. The Parisian giants received a suspended stadium closure for pyrotechnic use and visual displays during the first Ligue 1 home match of the 2026-2027 season, with the closure of the Auteuil stand as the immediate penalty.
Several players are also feeling the weight of disciplinary actions:
- Benjamin Andre (Lille) – one-match ban
- Mahdi Camara (Stade Rennais FC) – one-match ban
- Christian Mawissa (AS Monaco) – one-match ban
- Elye Wahi (OGC Nice) – one-match ban
The FC Nantes case, concerning a pitch invasion early in their match against Toulouse, remains under review and will be addressed in due course.
The disciplinary committee’s decisions underscore the league’s commitment to maintaining order while continuing to investigate ongoing incidents.
