Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Nice are in a worrying crisis, as two of the Ligue 1 club's players have been sent on leave after being attacked by their own fans
Kieran Horn Digital Sports Journalist and Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
19:36, 02 Dec 2025Updated 20:04, 02 Dec 2025
Sir Jim Ratcliffe reacts in the stands
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is enduring a tumultuous time at Nice(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
A number of Nice players are taking legal action after they were assaulted by fans.
It's a tense state of affairs at the Ligue 1 club, which is owned by Manchester United co-owner and Ineos chief, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. A seventh consecutive defeat led to an eruption of fan frustration, which resulted in Jeremie Boga and Terem Moffi being attacked.
Neither player will train this week, with Boga given five days off following the assault, while Moffi will be side-lined until Sunday. A report by Truibuna claims that the pair were punched, kicked and spat on.
Racist slurs were also allegedly hurled at them, with Boga needing to be saved by Yehvann Diouf. The team was warned of a hostile reception awaiting their bus at the training ground.
Despite this, they chose to return, initially allowing two fan representatives onto the bus to voice their complaints about the club's recent poor performances, reports the Mirror. However, things quickly deteriorated, with Boga and Moffi bearing the brunt.
Reports suggest that Boga was targeted because he had invited Marseille fans to their stadium earlier this month, where it is alleged they taunted home supporters. As for Moffi, it is claimed that he was seen laughing with former Lorient player Loic Remy after the weekend's defeat.
Boga issued a statement addressing the furore over his actions. It read: "At no time, believe me, was it my intention to show disrespect toward Nice supporters. However, I understand the disappointment this may have caused. To all those I may have hurt, I offer my apologies."
Jeremie Boga runs with the ball
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It is claimed that Jeremie Boga was attacked(Image: Eurasia Sport Images, Getty Images)
Nice chose to remain silent given the ongoing police inquiry, though they did publish a club statement following the incident. It read: "On Sunday, upon their return from Lorient, the Eagles were welcomed in front of the Training and Development Centre by a large gathering.
"The club understands the frustration generated by the succession of poor performances and performances far removed from its values. However, the incidents that occurred during this gathering are unacceptable.
"Several club members were targeted. OGC Nice offers them its full support and condemns these acts in the strongest possible terms."
Nice presently languish tenth in Ligue 1 and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Europa League table having suffered defeat in all five matches. After achieving their finest league position in seven years last season, Ratcliffe's outfit are enduring a torrid campaign.
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To ensure both Manchester United and Nice could participate in the Europa League during the 2024/25 season, Ratcliffe stepped back from his role at the French side due to UEFA regulations governing multi-club ownership in identical competitions.
Ineos considered a disposal over the summer with Saudi Arabian investors expressing potential interest, though no deal came to fruition.
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