Overview
- Nice learned on Thursday that left-back Ali Abdi had left for Tunisia and will not play in the return relegation playoff against Saint-Étienne.
- The Tunisian federation pressed for Abdi’s prompt return so he could complete US World Cup visa formalities before a reported May 29 deadline that risked his place at the tournament.
- Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi defended the federation’s position, saying FIFA release rules favour national teams and that he did not grant Nice permission to keep Abdi after the FIFA date cited by Tunisia.
- OGC Nice says it tried to negotiate a solution so Abdi could play both legs, underlines that he played the first leg to show club commitment, and has publicly supported him after a wave of social‑media threats.
- The episode exposes how visa deadlines and disputed interpretations of FIFA release timing can force direct clashes between club obligations and national‑team preparation and raises immediate concerns about player welfare and club‑federation relations.