Ali Abdi has found himself at the centre of a scheduling and administrative dispute after joining the Tunisia national team camp, with OGC Nice clarifying the circumstances behind his absence from a crucial relegation play-off second leg.
Abdi featured in the first leg of the tie, which ended in a goalless draw against Saint-Étienne, but was later required to travel to Tunisia to complete administrative procedures linked to his US visa ahead of international duty.
In a statement, Nice insisted the defender’s trip was not a case of defying club instructions, but rather a necessary step in preparing for national team commitments.
“Was forced to travel to Tunisia to complete the administrative procedures related to his US visa and is determined to return to support the team for the second leg,” the club said, stressing that Abdi remains committed to both club and country.
Nice added that the situation has placed the player in a difficult position, with competing demands between a decisive club fixture and international duty.
“Between representing his club and fulfilling a call-up to the World Cup with his national team, the choice, both personally and professionally, was particularly difficult,” the statement continued.
The club also condemned the abuse Abdi has reportedly received online, calling for restraint amid heightened tensions around the situation.
“Faced with the onslaught of threats he is receiving on social media, the club calls on everyone to show restraint and respect towards a player who is a victim, just like the club, of these events.”
The second leg will be played on Friday at the Allianz Riviera, though the fixture will take place behind closed doors following disciplinary action linked to incidents involving Nice supporters.
Saint-Étienne, 10-time French champions, are chasing an immediate return to Ligue 1 after last season’s relegation, while Nice are fighting to preserve their top-flight status in a tense end-of-season battle.
Meanwhile, Abdi has joined the Tunisia national team ahead of their preparations for the FIFA World Cup, where they will face Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands in the group stage starting June 15 in Monterrey, Mexico.
The overlapping demands of club survival and international duty have once again highlighted the growing pressure placed on players navigating tightly packed modern football calendars.
