Due to the progression of the coronavirus epidemic in the South-East of France, the Ligue 1 match between Nice and Lens will be played behind closed doors on Sunday 23 August. The president of Nice, Jean-Pierre Rivère, affirms that his club wants to be above all "responsible" in the face of the Covid-19.

The match of the first day of Ligue 1 between Nice and Lens, scheduled for Sunday 23 August, will be played behind closed doors due to the progression of the coronavirus epidemic. This was announced Wednesday by the president of the football club OGC Nice Jean-Pierre Rivère after a press conference.

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"Perhaps an excess of wisdom"

"In view of the health situation in our region, (…) and the acceleration of Covid-19, we have decided to play against Lens behind closed doors," said Jean-Pierre Rivère. "It may be an excess of wisdom, but the club wants to be responsible," he insisted.