Nice, January 12, 2026 — Nigerian international and Super Eagles forward Terem Moffi has taken formal legal steps to terminate his contract with French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice, citing serious concerns over his safety and well-being after being physically assaulted by the club's own supporters in late November 2025.
The 26-year-old striker, along with Ivorian teammate Jérémie Boga, filed a request with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP)'s judicial commission, seeking the dissolution of their respective contracts. Moffi's lawyers have validated the petition, referencing Articles 51 and 265 of the French professional football charter, which provide grounds for contract termination when an employer fails to ensure a safe working environment or when exceptional circumstances render continuation untenable.
The LFP is scheduled to review the case on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Outcomes could include full contract termination, a negotiated settlement, or alternative arrangements such as a loan move for Moffi, who remains under contract with Nice until June 2027.
The crisis stems from a violent incident on November 30, 2025, following Nice's 3-1 home defeat to Lorient in Ligue 1. Upon the team bus's return to the club's training facility on Boulevard Jean-Luciano, approximately 400 angry supporters—primarily ultras—confronted players and staff. The confrontation escalated into physical violence, with Moffi and Boga reportedly punched, kicked, spat on, and subjected to racist insults. Reports indicate some blows targeted sensitive areas, including the groin, amid the mob's fury over the team's poor form, which included six consecutive defeats across all competitions at the time.
Moffi played the full 90 minutes in the Lorient match, while Boga entered as a substitute. Witnesses described a tense atmosphere, with fans blocking the bus, lighting flares, and chanting hostile slogans. Sporting director Florian Maurice was also targeted during the 45-minute ordeal. Both players immediately sought medical attention and filed police complaints against unidentified assailants (contre X) for aggravated assault. French authorities opened an investigation into the matter shortly after.
As a direct consequence, Moffi has been on sick leave for six weeks since the incident, extended multiple times due to the psychological and physical impact. Boga initially received shorter leave but has similarly remained absent from training and matches. The assault drew widespread condemnation from the football community, including the LFP, which announced it would join as a civil party in the players' complaints to ensure full accountability. The players' union (UNFP) labeled the acts "intolerable," while Nice's management issued a strong statement denouncing the violence as "unacceptable."
The episode has exacerbated an already turbulent period for OGC Nice, who sit mid-table in Ligue 1 amid a string of poor results and internal tensions. The club, owned by INEOS (linked to Manchester United's Sir Jim Ratcliffe), faced additional scrutiny, including a stadium closure sanction for prior fan disturbances. Nice's teammates showed solidarity by wearing shirts bearing "MOFFI" and "BOGA" during a subsequent match against Angers, signaling support amid the chaos.
Moffi, who joined Nice from Lille in 2023 for a reported €25 million fee, has been a key player for the Super Eagles, contributing goals in qualifiers and friendlies. His potential departure would mark a significant loss for Nice's attacking options, especially as the club battles to regain form under coach Franck Haise (whose own future has been questioned).
Legal experts note that while player-initiated contract terminations are rare in France, precedents exist in cases involving safety failures or severe breaches of duty of care. The judicial commission's decision could set important precedents for player protections in professional football.
The situation has sparked broader discussions on fan violence, racism in European football, and club responsibilities toward player welfare. International bodies like FIFA and UEFA have previously sanctioned clubs for supporter misconduct, and this case may prompt further scrutiny.
As the LFP prepares to deliberate, all eyes are on whether Moffi and Boga will secure their releases or reach alternative resolutions. For now, the Nigerian forward remains sidelined, focused on recovery and resolution.
