Nantes and Nice have both released statements condemning some appalling chants from Nice fans mocking the death of Emiliano Sala, the former Nantes star who passed away in a 2019 plane crash.
Early in Nice’s 4-2 win over Saint-Etienne Wednesday, a section of Nice supporters reportedly changed the words of a pro-Sala chant Nantes supporters use. Last week, Nice fell 1-0 to Nantes in the Coupe de France final.
Nice’s statement, released Thursday, read as follows:
OGC Nice condemns in the strongest possible sense the chant about Emiliano Sala heard on Wednesday evening at the Allianz Riviera.
The club does not recognise its values or those of the entire red and black family in this unthinkable and abject provocation by a minority of its supporters.
OGC Nice sends its support to the family and friends of Emiliano Sala.
Nantes’ statement struck a similar chord, including a nod towards Nice’s response as a club to the chants:
FC Nantes discovered with horror the tenor of the songs of certain supporters of OGC Nice and can only strongly condemn such actions degrading the memory of Emiliano Sala.
At the same time, FC Nantes would like to thank OGC Nice and its coach Christophe Galtier for their support and their firm condemnation of such remarks.
FC Nantes as a whole supports Emiliano’s family and loved ones.
Speaking after their 2-1 win over Rennes, Nantes head coach Antoine Kombouare called for the Nice fans responsible for the chants to be banned. “I am scandalized, these people have nothing to do in stadiums,” said Kombouare.
“They should be banned, it’s shameful, I feel sorry for the family. I knew that the supporters could be idiots, but these are donkeys.”