A few hours before the decisive play-off second leg between OGC Nice and AS Saint-Étienne, the Ali Abdi affair has suddenly set the Riviera club’s news ablaze. The Tunisia left-back, kept in Tunisia for administrative procedures linked to his US visa ahead of the World Cup, has left the Côte d’Azur just as Nice prepare to play for a crucial spot in the rest of their season.
According to the details reported, the Nice club had tried to reach an agreement with the Tunisian Federation in order to keep its player for both play-off legs, but the FIFA calendar and administrative constraints made such an arrangement impossible. The fact that Ali Abdi played the first leg at Geoffroy-Guichard, which ended 0-0, is presented by OGC Nice as a sign of his total commitment to the squad.
The situation then spiralled out of control on social media, where the Tunisian defender became the target of threats, prompting OGC Nice to break their silence and back him publicly. In a statement, the Riviera club condemned the attacks and called on everyone to show restraint and respect, recalling that the player is himself the victim of circumstances beyond his control.
With the second leg approaching, the Ali Abdi affair highlights the extreme tension surrounding this clash between Nice and Saint-Étienne, but also the fragility of the balance between club and national team at season’s end. Determined to return and support his side as soon as possible, the Tunisian left-back remains at the heart of a matter that extends well beyond football and is stirring strong emotions on the Côte d’Azur.