A few hours before the most important match of its season, OGC Nice finds itself caught in a strange imbroglio around Ali Abdi. This Thursday, Claude Puel announced the absence of his defender for the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 return play-off against AS Saint-Étienne, scheduled for this Friday evening (8:45 p.m.) at the Allianz Riviera. The Tunisian international, summoned for the 2026 World Cup, would have preferred to join his selection without the agreement of his management, creating controversy.
Yes but here it is, in a press release published today on
Xthe Aiglons wanted to clarify the situation. “The club had initiated discussions with the Tunisian Federation in order to allow the player to play the two play-off matches with the Gym. An agreement ultimately could not be found in a calendar made extremely complex by FIFA dates. »
Nice would then have been informed of the trip of its side. “He was forced today to go to Tunisia in order to complete the administrative procedures related to his visa for the United States and is determined to return to support the group during the return match. »
Abdi finally available for Nice-ASSE?
And OGC Nice reminds that the accession roadblocks to Ligue 1 are not taken into account by the governing body. “The imbroglio results from these obligations, in a situation where two contradictory imperatives are imposed on him. Between defending the colors of his club and being able to honor a call-up for a World Cup with his selection, the human and sporting choice was particularly difficult. »
The Tunisian, heavily criticized on social networks in recent hours, is therefore expected by the Nice staff for this evening’s meeting.
