Nigeria international Terem Moffi has formally petitioned French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice to terminate his current employment contract following a violent confrontation with the club’s own supporters. The 26-year-old striker, along with teammate and Ivorian winger Jérémie Boga, suffered a physical assault by a mob of angry fans last November after the team’s 3-1 defeat against Lorient.
According to reports from the authoritative French sports daily L’Equipe, Moffi has remained on extended sick leave since the incident as he continues to recover from the physical and psychological impact of the ambush.
Legal representatives for the Super Eagles forward have now moved to invalidate his contract, which was originally set to run until June 2027. The attorneys based their formal request on Articles 51 and 265 of the French Professional Football Charter, which outline the protections and rights of players in instances of serious professional misconduct or safety breaches. This legal maneuver aims to grant Moffi a “just cause” exit, potentially allowing him to leave the Allianz Riviera without the financial penalties typically associated with a premature contract breach.
Moffi’s decision follows a turbulent period for the club, during which fans reportedly targeted him for his post-match interactions with former colleagues at Lorient. The assault, which involved approximately 400 ultras, drew widespread condemnation from the French Professional Football League (LFP) and the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP). Both organizations have pledged to support the players as civil parties in the ongoing criminal investigation into the perpetrators.
The French football hierarchy expects a specialized commission to review the case this Thursday to determine if the club failed in its duty to ensure the safety of its employees. If the governing body rules in favor of the striker, the decision could set a significant precedent for player safety in Ligue 1. For OGC Nice, losing their leading forward under such circumstances would represent a major sporting and administrative crisis as they struggle to maintain their competitive standing in the league.
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