OGC Nice Coach Franck Haise Suspended for Critical Remarks
OGC Nice coach Franck Haise has received a three-match suspension from the FFF’s disciplinary commission for "injurious remarks" directed towards the referee during the Coupe de France match against Saint-Brieuc on February 5th. The club has decided not to appeal the suspension, which takes effect Monday.
As a result of the suspension, Haise will be absent from the bench, field, and match sheet against Saint-Étienne, Lyon, and Auxerre. However, he will have access to the dressing rooms.
"I made hurtful remarks ten minutes after the match," explained Haise in a pre-match press conference before Nice’s upcoming fixture against Montpellier. "There were a lot of people around the referee, and I said things that were deemed hurtful. Obviously, I regret that. I told the referee as much. They [the remarks] were not abusive, obscene, or vulgar. But the FFF’s disciplinary commission does not consider the context or the situation."
"I should not have made those hurtful remarks, especially since I was mistaken," Haise acknowledged. "I said as much in the press conference after the match."
"Of course, it would be better if a coach always kept their opinions to themselves," he continued. "But sometimes, especially in high-stakes matches, you feel a sense of injustice, rightly or wrongly. In this case, I was wrong… I still have a lot of work to do on my journey to wisdom, that’s all I can take away from this."
"However, three matches for this…" the coach remarked.
Haise attended a videoconference hearing with the FFF’s disciplinary commission on Thursday morning, and the club received notification of the suspension on Friday.
Coach’s Comments on Decision
Haise expressed his disappointment with the severity of the suspension, highlighting the context and his intent behind the remarks.
"I think the sanction is excessive," Haise said. "I was not trying to attack the referee personally or undermine his authority. I simply expressed my frustration with the way the game was officiated."
"I understand that I have a responsibility to conduct myself in a professional manner, but I believe that the disciplinary commission has overreacted in this case," he added.
Club’s Response
OGC Nice has decided not to appeal the suspension, despite Haise’s disappointment. The club released a statement expressing support for its coach while acknowledging the need to respect the disciplinary process.
"The club understands and respects the decision of the disciplinary commission," the statement read. "We believe that Coach Haise is a passionate and dedicated individual who cares deeply about his team. We are confident that he will learn from this experience and return to the bench stronger than ever."
Impact on Team
Haise’s absence will be a significant blow to OGC Nice, who are currently in contention for a European spot in Ligue 1. The team has played well under Haise’s leadership this season, and his presence on the sideline will be missed.
Assistant coach Didier Digard is expected to take over as caretaker manager during Haise’s suspension. Digard has limited experience as a head coach, but he has been praised for his work with the Nice youth teams.
Conclusion
Franck Haise’s suspension highlights the importance of coaches maintaining appropriate conduct on and off the field. While it is understandable for coaches to express their emotions after a match, especially in the case of a controversial decision, it is essential to do so in a respectful and professional manner.
The severity of Haise’s suspension may raise questions about the balance between protecting the integrity of the game and allowing coaches to express their opinions. Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder that coaches have a responsibility to set a positive example and to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the values of sportsmanship.
