FIFA has instructed OGC Nice to compensate Ivorian club RAC Abidjan with close to €100,000, as reported by L’Équipe. The ruling comes after football’s global authority sided partially with RAC in a dispute over player transfers. FIFA, however, determined that it was not in a position to adjudicate all aspects of the case, such as the abrupt termination of the partnership between the two clubs in December 2023.
The decision to compensate RAC stems from the transfers of Ange Ahoussou to Pau FC and Jean M’Guessan to FC Metz, both of whom were sold during the 2023 summer transfer window. The partnership agreement between the two clubs required Nice to pay RAC a 30% share of profits on players connected to the Ivorian side. Nice has yet to fulfil these financial obligations.
The French Football Federation has been notified of FIFA’s ruling, and Nice risks facing a transfer ban if the payment is not made. Additionally, FIFA has asked Nice to cover €10,650 in legal fees related to the proceedings.
Partnership terminated amid allegations of financial mismanagement
In December 2023, OGC Nice made the decision to end their collaboration with RAC Abidjan, citing “significant financial and reputational losses.” According to Nice, the Ivorian club failed to deliver on a key part of the agreement, which involved completing a training facility. Despite a €4.8 million investment from Nice, the project was left unfinished, leading to the breakdown of the relationship between the two clubs and their majority stakeholder, INEOS.
Concerns over the handling of funds were raised following a KPMG audit, commissioned by Nice in July 2023. This investigation revealed possible financial irregularities, adding further strain to the partnership. The French club has since remained silent on the specifics of FIFA’s ruling, declining to comment when approached by L’Équipe.
The matter is currently under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is expected to provide further clarity on the unresolved legal aspects of the case. Both clubs are awaiting the final outcome of the CAS hearings, which will determine the future course of action.
