OGC Nice, owned by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, avoided Ligue 1 relegation after beating St. Etienne 4-1 on aggregate in the relegation play-off
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe avoided a catastrophic scenario after Ineos-owned OGC Nice secured their Ligue 1 status. The French outfit, who are also controlled by the United co-owner, will receive £18.2million in prize money after avoiding relegation to Ligue 2.
Nice, who concluded the regular Ligue 1 season in 16th place, defeated Ligue 2 side St. Etienne 4-1 on aggregate to guarantee their survival in France’s premier division. The encounter was delicately balanced following a 0-0 stalemate in St. Etienne on Tuesday evening, with Nice taking the initiative through Jonathan Clauss in the 62nd minute.
Nevertheless, the away side hit back when Zuriko Davitashvili converted a spot-kick in the 79th minute to create a tense finale. Kail Boudache found the net just two minutes afterwards to ease any anxiety, before Elye Wahi netted a late double to settle the matter conclusively.
It’s a massive reprieve for Nice who have consistently challenged for European qualification and haven’t ended lower than 11th since 2014/15.
Nevertheless, the disappointing season in France will do little to improve relations between fans and Ineos.
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There have been numerous demonstrations against their ownership of the French side, featuring pitch invasions, boycotts and alarming incidents where ultras stormed the training ground in 2025.
It’s been a mixed campaign at United, who have sealed their return to Champions League football under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils are nearing their first acquisition of the summer with Brazilian midfielder Ederson poised to arrive at Old Trafford from Serie A outfit Atalanta.
It marks the initial statement of intent from the club after Carrick urged United to progress next season.
Speaking following the final match of the campaign, the United manager said: “As a football club, you want to keep moving forward. We certainly as a football club want to keep moving forward.
“I think it’s acknowledged we’re at this stage, and the dynamics and the balance of the direction we’re at, where we’ve ended up getting to and finishing in the league.
“There’s obviously work to do. It’s quite obvious, with certain players leaving, there’s a bit of work to do.”
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