Last in the championship, Stade Niçois seemed doomed to be relegated to Nationale. But the possible administrative relegation of Biarritz Olympique could change the situation. Here is the explanation.
The Pro D2 championship concluded last week with a home victory for the Niçois against US Dax. On the field, Stade Niçois finished in the sixteenth and last place of Pro D2 despite this final success. Struggling with only seven victories in thirty matches, the club knew that sporting relegation was inevitable since February.
The team led by Alexandre Campan, Sébastien Bruno, and Mariano Taverna was set to return to Nationale next season. They will be replaced next season by Gareth Baber, an Olympic rugby sevens champion with Fiji in Tokyo, accompanied by Barry Maddocks and Emiliano Bergamaschi. The Niçois are preparing for the future, but an unexpected event could change this outcome.
Biarritz Olympique, ninth this season, has been administratively relegated to Nationale by the Rugby Regulatory Authority. This decision is based on irregularities in the budget presented by the Basque club. This situation is not new to the Basque club. A three-point deduction has also been decided for the next season. BO immediately announced that it is appealing. The date of the verdict is not yet known.
In this context, Stade Niçois finds itself, inadvertently, in a waiting position. If Biarritz’s relegation is confirmed, a club could be saved to remain in Pro D2.
However, the survival of the azure club does not solely depend on the outcome for BO. It also depends on the outcome of the Access match between Aurillac and Chambéry, scheduled for June 1st. Here’s a more detailed explanation.
Three possible scenarios, Stade Niçois on the lookout
Several scenarios are emerging. If Biarritz’s appeal is successful, the club will remain in Pro D2, and the current standings will be maintained. In this case, Nice will be relegated to Nationale, as planned.
If the appeal is rejected, the name of the rescued club will depend on the winner of the Aurillac-Chambéry match. If Savoy wins, Chambéry will move up to Pro D2, and Aurillac will be rescued. If Aurillac wins, Chambéry will remain in Nationale, and it is then Stade Niçois that could be maintained, despite its last place. All without having to play a playoff match.
This issue goes beyond the sporting field. The financial situation of BO has been a point of contention for several seasons. The club narrowly avoided relegation for similar reasons in 2023. It was saved at the last minute thanks to external financial contributions. This year, again, Pierre-Édouard Stérin, an investor linked to the club, injected several million euros. He requested time and guarantees to save BO. For now, the decision of the Disciplinary Board stands.
Stade Niçois is already preparing for the future
Behind the scenes, another element is attracting attention. Jean-Baptiste Aldigé, former president of Biarritz Olympique, is now leading Stade Niçois. Ironically, the club he presides could benefit from the difficulties of his former club. This coincidence is sparking comments, but President Aldigé has not publicly reacted on the subject so far. Ironically, Stade Niçois was officially relegated to Nationale after a victory against… BO.
In Nice, they maintain silence. Officially, the club is waiting for all procedures to be finalized. The Federation, CNOSF, or even the Court of Arbitration for Sport, could still intervene. In the meantime, the offseason remains pending these decisions. This has not prevented the club from announcing a series of contract extensions and departures in its squad. Some departing players might well regret it…
