The Nice prosecutor’s office has sought prison sentences against two former leaders of Populaire Sud, tried for their role in the incidents that occurred at OGC Nice’s training center following the defeat against Lorient in November 2025. The judgment will be delivered on September 11.
The Nice criminal court will render its decision on September 11 in the case of violence committed against several OGC Nice players at the end of November 2025. During Wednesday’s hearing, the prosecutor sought sentences of one to two years in prison against two recidivist supporters, former leaders of the Populaire Sud ultra group.
The facts date back to November 30, 2025. After OGC Nice’s defeat on Lorient’s field (3-1), more than 200 supporters had blocked the players’ bus outside the training center entrance to express their anger.
Known to the club’s security officials, Anthony D., 32 years old, and Mohamed C., 42 years old, were allowed to board the bus. The two men assured the players that supporters only wanted to talk and that no violence would occur. The club officials then accepted that the players walk the last few meters to the training center on foot.
However, the situation quickly deteriorated. While part of the squad reached the gates without difficulty, several players and club officials at the time were targeted. Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga were notably spat upon, insulted, and violently jostled. The two forwards, as well as OGC Nice, filed a complaint the very next day.
The prosecutor evokes an “ambush,” the defense contests responsibility
During the proceedings, prosecutor Damien Martinelli concluded that the violence and humiliation were established. According to the prosecution, the assault could not have occurred without the intervention of the two defendants to convince the players to get off the bus. The magistrate qualified the facts as an “ambush.”
The prosecutor thus sought two years in prison, including one year firm, against Mohamed C. Against Anthony D., the prosecution seeks two years of firm imprisonment with a detention order, as well as the revocation of one year of probation imposed in a previous case of violence related to football.
The defense contests this analysis. The two defendants claim they did not strike blows and maintain they attempted to prevent a confrontation. Me Mathurin Lauze, Anthony D.’s lawyer, stated: “If there is violence, the true perpetrators have not been identified.”
Me Rudy Cohen, Mohamed C.’s counsel, also argued that a conviction would amount to “killing dialogue” with supporter groups and would send the following message to the most radical individuals: “come masked.”
The investigation had also established that the majority of the fifteen police officers present at the scene had not observed any blows that evening. The officers stated that an intervention would have taken place had physical violence been observed. Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga (who left the club shortly after to Juventus Turin, editor’s note) showed no physical injuries, but the two players were described as psychologically affected by the events. The judgment is expected on September 11.
NicePremium is a free, independent local news outlet.
Help us keep going by supporting our work from €5 per month.
