Paris, Dec 2, (dpa/GNA) – Prosecutors have opened an investigation into serious bodily harm, after fans of French top-flight club Nice allegedly attacked their own players.
Two players filed complaints after incidents when they returned to Nice, following the 3-1 away defeat to Lorient on Sunday, prosecutor Damien Martinelli said on Tuesday.
The players are Jeremie Boga and Terem Moffi, who reported sick after the alleged attack.
According to the prosecutor’s office, both players reported that the team bus was blocked by almost 200 ultra fans, amid a tense atmosphere, when it arrived back at the Nice training ground.
Under pressure from the crowd, they were told to leave the bus and walk to the training centre, prosecutors say.
After leaving the vehicle, they say they were spat at and insulted, and attacked with punches and kicks by mostly masked fans.
Eventually, they were able to reach the training centre.
Numerous interviews are already taking place as part of the investigation.
Nice showed understanding for fan frustrations with recent results, but condemned the violence.
“Several members of the club were attacked. Nice stand fully behind them and condemn these acts in the strongest terms,” a statement read.
The sports newspaper L’Équipe reported that sporting director Florian Maurice, was also struck and spat at by the crowd.
A witness told the newspaper that player Moffi was especially assaulted.
“They tore the cap off his head, pulled him by the hair and then gave him about 10 blows, including some to the lower abdomen,” a witness told the newspaper.
GNA