Super Eagles striker snubbed by Chelle for AFCON 2025 files for club exit after assault incident

The forward's absence from Eric Chelle's tournament squad raised eyebrows, but the reasons behind his exclusion are now becoming clearer as shocking details emerge about an assault incident at his club.

With the player now seeking to sever ties with his employer, Nigerian fans are watching a cautionary tale unfold, one that highlights how quickly off-field issues can destroy on-field opportunities, especially when a spot with the Super Eagles hangs in the balance during Africa's biggest football showcase.

Terem Moffi, the Nigerian striker who many expected to see in Cameroon for AFCON 2025, has taken his case to the French league's legal committee, requesting the termination of his contract with OGC Nice.

Along with teammate Jérémie Boga, Moffi has been on medical leave for six weeks following a violent confrontation with supporters. The Professional Football League (LFP) is scheduled to review the matter on Thursday.

While OGC Nice have been navigating weeks of internal turmoil, the roots of this crisis trace back to the night of November 30, 2024. Returning from a demoralising 3-1 defeat in Lorient, several squad members were confronted by dozens of enraged fans outside the training center.

Moffi and Boga were among the most targeted, subjected to insults, spitting, and physical violence that included being struck on the back and groin.

The brutality of the encounter left scars that have not healed. According to sources close to the players, both remain deeply affected by the incident and have been unable to return to training, leading to repeated extensions of their medical leave and threats to leave the club.

Doctors who examined them confirmed their inability to work and the lasting psychological effects of the violent confrontation.

The severity of the situation prompted immediate legal action. Both forwards filed a criminal complaint against unknown persons on December 1, setting in motion a process that has now escalated to involve the league's legal apparatus.

Jean-Pierre Rivère, Nice's new president, has consistently avoided public comment on the matter, leaving the club's position unclear as the two parties prepare to face each other this week. The silence speaks volumes about the delicate nature of a situation that has no easy resolution.

The players' lawyers successfully petitioned the LFP's legal committee, citing articles 51 and 265 of the professional football charter. The hearing, initially scheduled for last Tuesday but postponed at Nice's request, will now proceed this Thursday.

What unfolds in that room could determine not just the futures of two players, but set a precedent for how French football handles player safety in an era of increasingly volatile fan-player relations

David Terrier, president of the French professional footballers' union (UNFP), has made the organisation's position unmistakably clear. "The status quo cannot continue," he stated. "We always advocate for contracts to be respected, on both sides. But this case is very different. The club's responsibility in this affair will need to be determined, and that is the role of the justice system. We will also be joining the case as a civil party."

His words carry the weight of an institution that understands the line between passionate support and criminal violence has been obliterated. "We immediately offered our support to Jeremie and Terem," Terrier continued. "While fans have the right to criticize, they crossed an unacceptable line here. What we see today is a breakdown. These are not opportunistic moves. Health professionals have confirmed that, given their condition, their medical leave had to be extended. We are dealing with two players who, and this must be respected, do not feel psychologically capable of playing for Nice again. A solution must be found."

That final sentence captures the heart of the matter. This is not about contracts or transfer fees or sporting ambition. This is about two human beings who no longer feel safe doing their jobs.

Both players remain under contract with Nice until June 2027, making their demand for immediate termination a legally complex proposition. Their argument centers on the club's alleged failure to ensure their safety, invoking the French Labour Code (Article L.4121-1), which obligates employers to protect the physical and mental health of their employees.

During Thursday's hearing, the players' lawyers, who have declined to comment publicly, will likely focus on the security shortcomings on the night of the attack. "The key issue will be to determine the protection and prevention measures in place before the violence occurred," explained a legal specialist familiar with such cases. "If it is established that there was a failure in the security arrangements, Nice will be in a difficult position."

The financial stakes are considerable. Moffi was signed for €25 million (plus bonuses) in 2022, while Boga joined for €17.5 million in 2023. Could this really lead to the termination of contracts worth tens of millions of euros? That remains the crucial question.

Even after the committee's ruling, the process may not conclude. "This could also be a step toward proceedings before an employment tribunal or the basis for a negotiation between the two parties for a more conventional exit, like a loan," the specialist added. When contacted, the club declined to comment.

For Nigerian football fans, Moffi's situation carries additional weight. His absence from Eric Chelle's AFCON 2025 squad was notable, given his proven ability at club level. While the coach's selections are always subject to scrutiny, the timing now suggests that off-field issues may have influenced the decision.

Moffi's predicament serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances beyond a player's control can derail international ambitions. While his teammates compete in Morocco, he remains in France, unable to train, psychologically scarred, and fighting to escape a situation that has become untenable.

The irony is cruel. AFCON 2025 represents exactly the kind of platform where Moffi could have reminded everyone of his quality, potentially forcing his way back into regular Super Eagles consideration. Instead, he is trapped in legal proceedings, medical evaluations, and the aftermath of violence that should never have occurred.

Thursday's hearing will provide some clarity, though not necessarily resolution. The LFP's legal committee faces a decision with no precedent in modern French football.

How do you balance contractual obligations against psychological trauma? What duty of care do clubs owe players when fan violence enters the equation? Where does employer responsibility begin and end?

These are not abstract legal questions. They are deeply human concerns with real consequences for everyone involved. For Nice, the club's reputation and financial position hang in the balance. For the players, their careers and mental health are at stake.