Grenoble players threaten to strike Pro D2 match after coach banned by club President

Wednesday, 01 October 2025 at 11:57

byTom Sansom

Internal tensions are mounting at FC Grenoble after the precautionary suspension of three-quarters (outside backs) coach Nicolas Nadau. The club’s players refused to train on Tuesday in protest of the decision and have threatened to strike ahead of Friday’s home clash with Provence Rugby.

The suspension follows Nadau’s controversial comments directed at the team doctor during Grenoble’s fifth-round Pro D2 match at Brive, which the club deemed unacceptable. President Patrick Goffi has remained resolute in defending the decision.

(Transcript translated from French)

“Whether there is a players' strike or not will not change anything. The club's position is clear: our coach's comments during the match in Brive are unacceptable. I have seen the LNR (Ligue Nationale de Rugby) doctor's report, it is very clear and precise on the terms that implicate our coach.

"It mentions unacceptable comments towards our club doctor. This constitutes misconduct and the club has decided to suspend him as a precautionary measure. Mr. Nadau has been summoned and will be interviewed on Friday. He will then be able to explain himself.” Goffi told in a report to Rugbyrama.

The row highlights the players’ loyalty to Nadau, who has been a key figure in Grenoble’s recent success, guiding the team to the last three Pro D2 finals, although all were lost to Toulouse’s Ernest-Wallon squad.

Addressing the potential strike directly, Goffi emphasized the players’ professional responsibilities:

“I saw them this morning, I explained the situation to them. And I repeat: them going on strike will not change anything. It is even counterproductive, it goes against the interests they want to defend. Everyone assumes their responsibilities and it is not the players who decide this kind of thing, let's be very clear.

"They are responsible adults, professionals, players. Their responsibility is to play. The club's responsibility is to provide them with an alternative solution. But threatening the management with a strike is not the right thing to do to find a positive solution to this situation, first and foremost in the interest of Nicolas Nadau.”

The standoff leaves Grenoble facing an uncertain build-up to Friday’s game, with the club aiming to maintain discipline while the players show their support for a coach who has shaped much of their recent Pro D2 campaign.