Bad day this August 29, 2022. Not only was OGC Nice, his favorite club, beaten by OM but Maxime, 19, an apprentice mechanic, found himself in police custody.
His fault: having lit a smoke bomb in the Popular South. With no criminal record, the young supporter found himself released under judicial supervision with a stadium ban. The prosecution offered him an appearance on prior admission of guilt. Maxime refused: a six-month suspended prison sentence still passes, but the three-year ban on going to encourage his favorite team, forced to clock in at each meeting at the La Trinité gendarmerie, seemed too heavy a sanction to him.
This is how the young man found himself in correctional custody. Le Gym, a civil party, but not represented at the trial, is claiming one euro in damages, recalling, in a letter addressed to President Alain Chemama, that “the use of pyrotechnic devices presents a danger”.
“I want to apologize, that’s all I have to say”, declares Maxime who has always acknowledged the facts. Prosecutor Caroline Blasco is demanding a one-year stadium ban and a fine of 500 euros.
“He has already missed 55 games”
Me Jordan Haddad, defense lawyer, begins with an attack on the club by showing a few photos: “OGC Nice is offended by the use of smoke, so it stops promoting it on social networks!” Me Haddad emphasizes that his client did not light a torch but a pot of smoke, reputed to be less dangerous. “You understand that he does not have the profile of a hooligan. He is an enthusiast who had just paid for a subscription with his first salaries.” “He’s been reporting for every match for fifteen months. He’s missed 55,” notes the lawyer, who welcomes requisitions “more suitable” than the proposal of the prosecution during the appearance on prior admission of guilt (CRPC).
President Alain Chemama whistles the end of the game with a suspended fine of 300 euros, a symbolic euro to be paid to the club but without banning the stadium, considering that the repentant supporter had already been sufficiently punished.
