Kicked, spat on, punched: Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi attacked by fans of his own club

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi and Cote d’Ivoire international winger Jeremy Boga were physically assaulted by members of their own fanbase and have now been placed on medical leave, which underscores the seriousness of the incident. 

After Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Lorient, their seventh of the season, around 400 supporters (ultras) gathered at OGC Nice’s training centre late that day, awaited the return of the team bus, and confronted the squad.

According to GMS, the scene quickly turned violent. At least one supporter was said to have boarded the team bus; players were forced off the coach, and Jérémie Boga and Terem Moffi were singled out.

According to the report, the pair were spat on, slapped and kicked (including blows to the torso and groin). Sporting director Florian Maurice was also pushed and struck while being escorted away. 

The physical assault was also followed by racist insults directed at some of the players. Boga and Moffi are said to have filed complaints to the police, and according to ESPN, both players have been placed on medical leave: five days for Boga and one week for Moffi. 

OGC Nice have released a statement confirming that some of their players were indeed attacked and have been placed on leave. They deplored the violence and said they would show their full support to the victims. 

“On Sunday, on their return from Lorient, the Eaglets were welcomed at the training ground by an important gathering,” the statement read. 

"The club understands the frustration created by the succession of poor displays and performances far from its values.

"However, the excesses we saw during this gathering are unacceptable. A few members of the club have been attacked. OGC Nice give them its full support and condemn these acts with the highest toughness.”