During the match between OGC Nice and Saint-Étienne on Wednesday 11 as part of the 36th day of Ligue 1, Gym supporters supported their team, and some made fun of the death of the former Argentine player of FC Nantes Emiliano Sala.
Shocking, filthy and odious. Having not digested their defeat in the final of the Coupe de France last Saturday, Nice fans wanted revenge against FC Nantes.
Facing Saint-Étienne (4-2), a few individuals present in the stands of the Allianz Riviera waited for the 9and minute of the match, as Beaujoire does in reference to the number worn by Emiliano Sala, to start chanting a song offensive to the memory of the Argentinian player of the canaries who died in January 2019 in a plane crash.
“It’s an Argentinian, who does not swim well, Emiliano under water”, launched the few Nice supporters.
@ogcnice Shame on you
At the traditional 9th minute, the lyrics of the song: “He’s an Argentinian, who doesn’t give up, Émiliano Sala, Émiliano Sala. turned into: “He’s an Argentinian, who doesn’t swim well, Émiliano underwater, Émiliano underwater” pic.twitter.com/3Lt8Ktq5kh
— ᏢᎡéՏᏆᎠᎬΝͲ ⚪️ (@DjejeTaz) May 11, 2022
This sound, heard in the “ambience only” version on Amazon Prime, sparked widespread outrage.
“The league must react and take sanctions. At least, out of respect for the family and loved ones of Emiliano Sala, to respect the memory of this player who tragically left us and for these horrible chants in the 9th minute,” wrote a user on Twitter.
For its part, and after a few minutes from the end of the match, OGC Nice “firmly” condemned this song chanted by the supporters of the Popular South.
“Nice condemns in the strongest terms the song concerning Emiliano Sala. The club in no way recognizes its values or those of the entire red and black family in this unthinkable and abject provocation of a minority of its supporters.
A reaction also supported by the eaglets coach Christophe Galtier who spoke of “astonishment” when his team returned to the locker room at the end of the match. “On returning to the locker room, there were no cries, joy … but amazement”.
The 2020-2021 French champion with LOSC also apologized to the relatives of the Argentine player who tragically disappeared in 2019.
“On behalf of my players, technical and medical staff, I apologize to Emiliano Sala’s family and to FC Nantes,” said Christophe Galtier at a press conference.