Incidents during the Nice-OM match: “Our duty is to accept the sanctions,” assures Jean-Pierre Rivère
More than 36 hours after the sanctions were announced by the League’s disciplinary commission, OGC Nice’s management spoke this Friday afternoon. Jean-Pierre Rivère confirmed that the club would not appeal the sanctions and announced several measures taken at Allianz Riviera.
Alongside the presentation conference for the latest signing, Andy Delort, OGC Nice’s Director of Football, Julien Fournier, and the President, Jean-Pierre Rivère, spoke about the sanctions concerning the Nice-OM match, which will have to be replayed on neutral ground.
In a calm but determined tone, Jean-Pierre Rivère first confirmed that the club would not appeal the sanctions. “There is no question of it. Our duty is to accept these sanctions. The question isn’t whether they are fair or unfair. The disciplinary commission has done its job. This event will leave a mark on us for a long time. I am especially pained and embarrassed that our shareholders witnessed this sad spectacle.”
Julien Fournier then spoke, particularly about the sporting sanctions, which he regarded as very severe. “Yes, this point deduction is a big blow. We’ll have to make it up from the players’ efforts. It’s a point earned by the team. The sanction against OGC Nice is heavy. Perhaps it matches the events, but it is very heavy and severe, and I have a lot of sympathy for our players. I always struggle with collective sanctions. Our players have always wanted to calm things down.”
Julien Fournier was asked again about the decision not to appeal: “We didn’t fear a tougher sanction. We saw that Metz could get a reduced sanction. The question arose from a moral and ethical standpoint. We decided with the owner that it wasn’t the right choice. Marseille can appeal; that’s their decision.”
To prevent these unfortunate events from recurring, the club also announced several measures at Allianz Riviera. No more bottles will be allowed in the stadium. They will be replaced with cups. Additionally, circulation at the bottom of the stands will no longer be allowed. The first rows of the Populaire Sud will be closed for the installation of a protective net. “We have been requesting these nets for a long time,” repeated Jean-Pierre Rivère this Friday.
