This was not always the case, but this time, the Popular Sud ultras were keen to react very quickly to the shock wave caused by the end of the derby between Nice and Marseille. “We strongly condemn the throwing of projectiles as well as the invasion of the ground. In the future, any member of the group whose behavior could harm the group and the club, will be excluded. A firm speech which followed a meeting with the leaders of OGC Nice, who are sometimes singled out for the close links they maintain with this ultra group created in 2013 on the ashes of the South Nice Brigade 85, dissolved in 2010.
“We are not close,” says Jean-Pierre Rivère.
With our supporters, we always have discussions, in our difficult or easy times.
We have always had a very clear position with them: we will say all things to each other face to face, good or bad.
We don't have boyfriend-boyfriend relationships at all, but we have very clear relationships.
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Read alsoNice-Marseille: a Nice supporter in police custody, suspected of having hit an OM player
It is from the popular platform, where the popular ultras are placed, that all the plastic bottles thrown in the direction of OM players have left. At the heart of the derby, the group's leaders repeatedly called for calm, to no avail. “Unfortunately, we can not police throughout a match, slipped one of them, on condition of anonymity. We encourage people to sing, to encourage, but excesses when there is a mass effect, there is unfortunately. "
Self-proclaimed apolitical for many years, some Nice ultras have slowly drawn closer to far-right ideologies and identities.
"The elders have gradually left the ship and made way for more fiery and violent young people," blows a regular from the platform.
With nearly 4,000 supporters present at each match in the stands, the popular Sud ultras can be a major asset for Christophe Galtier's players, like a ball.
During this derby against OM, they showed their worst face, causing the match to be stopped.
“It will also be necessary to look at the attitude of the Marseillais, who do not cease to provoke, cut a leader of the group.
Seeing an assistant hit a supporter or a member of OM security hit a Nice player is just as serious.
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