Next Thursday, the Aiglons must face the players of FC Sheriff Tiraspol in the round of 16 of the Europa League conference. This Moldovan club is based in Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova. And even if its matches are now relocated to the capital of the country, for security reasons in the context of the War in Ukraine, OGC Nice “advises” its supporters not to make the trip.
The situation is particularly unstable and “the context appears to be unfavorable at the very least”, notes the club. A previous meeting between FC Sheriff Tiraspol and Partizan Belgrade had been “classified behind closed doors at 48 hours” from kick-off, “due to the strong risk of deterioration in the security situation”, he also recalls.
“responsible attitude”
“In the opinion of the National Directorate for the Fight against Hooliganism”, the current context “does not allow us to calmly consider the movement of Nice supporters”, continues the club, specifying that “a latent and unpredictable security risk” was brought up to him.
If a visitors’ stand has been opened at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau and seats have been put on sale, OGC Nice “must adopt a responsible attitude”, that of “advising its loyal supporters not to go to Moldova to support the Aiglons”, he insists. “A position that the club would have liked not to have to hold as it measures the enthusiasm of its public for this European competition. »