Four days before the match against Toulouse, the field at the Allianz Riviera is at the center of controversy. Damaged after the Olympic Games, it worries both the municipality and the club. Emergency measures are required to prevent the tarnishing of both the stadium and the club’s image.
This Tuesday, the City of Nice publicly expressed its concerns. The lawn at the Allianz Riviera, home stadium of OGC Nice, is severely degraded. This is a worrying situation, especially as the Ligue 1 season has just started. In fact, this Sunday, OGC Nice is set to face Toulouse for the second round of the championship. Therefore, the poor condition of the pitch could jeopardize this event.
Unfulfilled Obligations
In response to this situation, the municipality quickly reacted. In a statement, the City of Nice called on Nice Eco Stadium, the stadium operator, to “act without delay”. The operator is accused of failing to meet its contractual obligations. “The City of Nice has requested that Nice Eco Stadium provide OGC Nice with an excellent field, worthy of a European club”, the statement reads.
Are the Olympic Games to Blame?
This degradation of the field occurred after a period of intense use. Moreover, the Allianz Riviera hosted six football matches during the Paris Olympic Games. However, at the time, no problems were reported. It was after a Travis Scott concert on July 6th that the field was replaced. Nevertheless, despite this renovation, the turf did not endure. A fungus, pyricularia, attacked the turf, worsened by extreme weather conditions this summer.
Pressure Mounts on Nice Eco Stadium
Despite an action plan being implemented, results are still awaited. The City of Nice considers the plan “incompatible with the sporting calendar”. On its side, Nice Eco Stadium assures that “playability is preserved”, even though the visual condition of the field remains concerning. The provider claims to have taken all necessary measures to manage the situation, but this does not seem to be enough.
The Risk to the Club’s Image
The Nice municipality does not mince words. They warn that the situation could “tarnish the image of the club and the City of Nice”. If nothing is done, the municipality reserves the right to take all necessary actions.
With five days remaining before the match against Toulouse, the situation is critical. The City of Nice demands that Nice Eco Stadium “act without delay”. The Sunday match will not be postponed, but concerns are growing. OGC Nice is set to host important matches in the coming weeks, including against Saint-Étienne and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as a Europa League match.
