The road to survival just got a lot steeper for OGC Nice. The LFP disciplinary committee has handed down severe sanctions against the club ahead of their Ligue 1-Ligue 2 playoff showdown against AS Saint-Étienne. Last Sunday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Metz sealed Nice’s fate, prompting furious reactions from home supporters who stormed the Allianz Riviera pitch, hurled flares, and caused significant damage.

Two empty-stadium matches, one suspended penalty

The disciplinary body opted for a two-match stadium closure penalty for Nice, including one suspended game. This means the return leg of the playoffs, scheduled for Nice on May 29, will be played behind closed doors. The first leg in Saint-Étienne on May 26 remains unaffected by this sanction.

International players may miss playoff clashes

The setback doesn’t end there. With the FIFA World Cup approaching, the governing body has denied both Nice and Saint-Étienne special dispensations. This could prevent several key international players from participating in these decisive playoff matches, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.