What began with a respectful tribute quickly descended into disarray. Already facing relegation to Ligue 2 before their final match against Toulouse, FC Nantes had planned a special homage to their 74-year-old coach, Vahid Halilhodzic. The players and staff of FCN formed a guard of honor for the manager, who was coaching his last game, a poignant moment as he smiled, clearly moved.

However, this touching scene starkly contrasted with the events that unfolded just 22 minutes into the game. Dozens of masked Nantes supporters, after igniting flares, stormed onto the pitch to voice their anger at the club’s management. Notably, President Waldemar Kita and his son were not present at La Beaujoire stadium.

Referee Stéphanie Frappart immediately sent the players back to the locker rooms. “It was decided to permanently interrupt the match by decision of the prefect for security reasons,” the international referee stated during a brief press conference, almost forty minutes after the game’s halt. At the moment of interruption, Halilhodzic remained pitchside, confronting the encroaching supporters, barely restrained by security personnel.

“Such incidents cannot be tolerated”

“The scenes of violence that occurred a few minutes ago during the match are unacceptable and have absolutely no place in sport or in our Republic,” commented Sports Minister Marina Ferrari. “I strongly condemn these actions and offer my support to the players and the supporters who came to experience this moment peacefully. The definitive interruption of this match, decided by the prefect, was necessary. We cannot tolerate such incidents.”

In Nice, the Gym’s supporters waited until the final whistle to rush onto the field, flares in hand, expressing their fury after their team’s goalless draw against bottom-of-the-table Metz (0-0). This result condemned Nice to play in the relegation play-offs against Saint-Etienne to secure their spot in France’s top football division. The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes also “strongly condemned the excesses and damage committed by ultra-supporters.”

Coupe de France hopes fade for Nice?

Jean-Pierre Rivère, Nice’s president, similarly “regretted the incidents” following the “enormous disappointment” of his team failing to avoid the play-offs. “Everyone has had a difficult season,” he stated. “We can feel a lot of bitterness, a lot of anger. But it’s not over. We still have two matches, certainly very complicated, but they are there. As long as it’s not finished, we must go for it.”

The first leg of their play-off match at the Allianz Arena could potentially be played behind closed doors due to these disturbances. However, before these crucial encounters, OGC Nice is set to compete in the Coupe de France final against Lens on Friday. Yet, the team’s focus appears to be elsewhere. “The priority is no longer there,” Jean-Pierre Rivère admitted. “The only ambition we can have is to get through this and stay in Ligue 1.”