OGC Nice manager Franck Haise shines light on INEOS absence amid crisis

OGC Nice are a club embroiled in crisis. Players and management were subjected to violent attacks on Sunday night following a 3-1 defeat to FC Lorient earlier that same day. 

Speaking to L’Équipe, Franck Haise revealed that members of the club were “hit” and “spat on” during a confrontation with the club’s own fans, outside the training ground. He even revealed that some had come armed with petanque balls. 

Jérémie Boga and Terem Moffi were targeted, as was sporting director Florian Maurice. The LFP have denounced the alleged violence, as has the players’ union, the UNFP. An investigation has been opened by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. 

Amid the chaos, INEOS are nowhere to be seen. Haise, in an interview with L’Équipe, revealed the owners’ absence and lack of communication. 

“A reaction from the owners? I haven’t spoken to the owner, nor the person in charge of the shareholders, since Sunday evening,” he revealed on Wednesday, as he announced that he would be remaining as manager; he also confirmed that he had considered leaving.

“It was me who called the President (Fabrice Bocquet) at the end of the day because I hadn’t heard from Maurice. I am assuming my responsibility by staying as manager… and there you go, Jean-Claude Blanc (CEO of INEOS Sport) has just written to me… It’s Wednesday morning,” he said. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle