Nice footballer Alexis Beka Beka, who had caused concern on Friday, “is doing well, is safe and will be followed as necessary”, declared his coach Francesco Farioli on Saturday during a press conference on the eve of the match against Stade Brestois.
The gendarmerie indicated on Friday that the young player, aged 22, had been “taken care of by firefighters and gendarmes following a distress situation”.
“Yesterday’s episode affected us all, in the world of football, and especially within the club, staff, players, employees and all the supporters,” continued the coach. Fortunately, the outcome is positive. We can talk about this match with a smile,” said Farioli on the eve of facing Brest in a meeting “which will not be like the others”.
The Italian highlighted “the essential work” of the club psychologist Sophie Huguet, “who handled the situation with great sensitivity, great attention and who has been working with him for three months.”
“Sometimes we look at athletes and particularly footballers as superstars, rock stars, but first and foremost they are human beings. In the past, great athletes like Tracy McGrady, Tyson Fury and Michael Phelps have spoken about these difficulties. This should not be a taboo. We must all be sensitive and attentive to it in order to try to improve the lives of those around us,” he added.
“I ask for a lot of sensitivity regarding the journey that Alexis will now have to take. And to respect him as a loved one, with care and love,” he said.
Beka Beka competed in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 with the French team. He is under contract until June 2027 with Nice, where he joined in August 2022, after being transferred for 12 million euros from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Last season, under the orders of Lucien Favre then Didier Digard, he played 22 matches in all competitions with Nice.