It's not true — Nice president dispels report claiming Man United co-owners want to sell Nice

OGC Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere has come out to dispel reports claiming that his bosses were prepared to sell the Ligue 1 side, as INEOS wanted to focus on their new acquisition, Manchester United

As Pulse Sports relayed, The Independent reported that Manchester United's minority shareholder INEOS are prepared to sell French club Nice to focus fully on the Red Devils.

Manchester United risked not participating in the Europa League, as another INEOS-owned club, Nice, qualified for the competition. 

However, it is reported that UEFA have given them a bye for a transitional one-year period, meaning both sides can compete in Europe's second-tier competition next season, despite having an owner in common. 

INEOS is looking to avoid a similar headache in the future and is now looking to part ways with their majority shares in Nice. 

Other than Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s reported interest in focusing on his boyhood club as a reason for the proposed sale, the financial landscape of French football is also a contributing factor, with the league yet to seal a broadcaster for next season.  

Speaking to L’Equippe, the football administrator stated unequivocally that the Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led company remains committed to their ownership of Nice and has no plans of selling their majority stake in the club. 

“The owner’s objective is absolutely not to sell the club. If the club was for sale, I’d tell you willingly because it’s not murder or shameful to put a club up for sale,” he told L’Equippe.

“But, I’ll repeat myself, that isn’t the case. But, if one day it does go up for sale, there wouldn’t be any problem because [the club] is healthy and structured.”

Despite the comments from Rivere, L’Equippe went on to confirm the earlier reports from The Independent, citing confidential sources.