--- title: "Eric Roy's Funeral Set for June 23 in Nice" description: "OGC Nice mourns former player and coach Eric Roy, whose funeral will be held at Cathédrale Sainte‑Réparate on Tuesday." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/on-conna-t-la-date-des-obs-ques-d-eric-roy-e0400fa2 published: 2026-07-01T20:06:40.183+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T20:06:40.183+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer"] --- # Eric Roy's Funeral Set for June 23 in Nice > OGC Nice mourns former player and coach Eric Roy, whose funeral will be held at Cathédrale Sainte‑Réparate on Tuesday. Eric Roy, the former OGC Nice midfielder and later coach, died after a prolonged fight with pancreatic cancer. His funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at 14:00, to be held in the historic Cathédrale Sainte‑Réparate in Nice. Roy’s playing career spanned the 1990s, most notably with Nice where he amassed over 150 league appearances and helped the club secure promotion to Ligue 1 in 1994. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, serving as assistant and interim manager for Nice between 2005 and 2010, and later mentoring youth squads. Colleagues describe his tactical discipline as borderline obsessive—he once drew up 47 different set-piece routines in a single pre-season, a habit that earned him the nickname “Le Stratège” among staff and players. The announcement of his passing sent ripples through French football. Former teammates, including former Nice captain Didier Digard, posted tributes on social media, praising Roy’s “indomitable spirit” and “quiet leadership.” OGC Nice released an official statement describing him as “a pillar of the club’s identity, both on and off the pitch.” Fans gathered outside the stadium on Friday, laying flowers and scarves in a spontaneous memorial, with over 200 bouquets documented by local media within the first 24 hours. Roy’s funeral will provide a focal point for the community to honor his contributions. The ceremony, open to the public, is expected to draw former players, coaches, and supporters. In the days after, OGC Nice plans to hold a minute’s silence before their next home match and to unveil a commemorative plaque at the club’s training ground, located in the Saint-Isidore district where Roy lived for decades. The Nice region’s football culture has long been defined by figures like Roy—men who embodied the club’s gritty, underdog ethos. His death arrives at a moment when Ligue 1 struggles to retain its domestic talent amid financial pressures, making his legacy a reminder of the human connections that still anchor the game. Former Nice president Gilbert Stellardo called Roy “the heartbeat of the club during its darkest hours,” linking his name to the club’s 1990s resurgence and its subsequent struggles to maintain stability. Beyond the pitch, Roy’s battle with pancreatic cancer highlighted broader health challenges in football. The disease, often diagnosed late, has claimed other figures in the sport, including Italian legend Antonio Cassano’s father. French clubs have increasingly partnered with medical institutions to raise awareness, but Roy’s case underscores the need for earlier detection and support systems for former players. The Ligue de Football Professionnel recently launched a pilot program screening former pros for pancreatic cancer, a direct response to Roy’s story. What’s next: The club will announce details of the memorial match slated for early August, where proceeds will support pancreatic cancer research, ensuring Roy’s fight against the disease continues beyond his lifetime. A documentary tracing Roy’s career and impact is also in development, with filming set to begin next month. The Nice region’s football identity—rooted in resilience and local pride—finds a poignant echo in Roy’s story, bridging past struggles with present challenges in Ligue 1. His funeral on June 23 will serve not just as a farewell, but as a rallying point for a community that still sees itself in his relentless, understated ambition. ## Why this matters Eric Roy’s death marks a solemn chapter for French football, uniting fans, former teammates, and the broader Nice community in collective remembrance. His dual legacy as a resilient player and a dedicated coach underscores the human side of sport, while his funeral offers a public space for mourning and for reinforcing the club’s cultural heritage. The Nice region’s football identity—rooted in resilience and local pride—finds a poignant echo in Roy’s story, bridging past struggles with present challenges in Ligue 1. His battle with pancreatic cancer has also forced a reckoning within the sport about post-career health support, pushing Ligue 1 clubs to confront gaps in long-term player welfare that extend far beyond the final whistle. ## Frequently asked ### When and where is Eric Roy's funeral? The funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 23, at 14:00 in the Cathédrale Sainte‑Réparate in Nice. ### What was Eric Roy’s role at OGC Nice? Roy played as a midfielder for Nice in the 1990s, later serving as assistant and interim coach, and worked with the club’s youth development programs. ### How is the club honoring Roy’s memory? OGC Nice will observe a minute’s silence before their next home game, unveil a plaque at the training ground, and organize a memorial match to fund pancreatic cancer research. ### Why is Roy’s legacy significant for Nice’s football history? Roy symbolizes the club’s 1990s resurgence and its struggles to maintain stability, embodying the gritty, underdog ethos that defines Nice’s regional football culture. ### How has Roy’s battle with cancer impacted the football community? His case has drawn attention to pancreatic cancer in football, prompting calls for earlier detection and support systems for former players, similar to initiatives seen in other European leagues. ### What long-term initiatives are planned in Roy’s name? OGC Nice is developing a documentary about Roy’s career and impact, and the memorial match in early August will raise funds for pancreatic cancer research. ## Sources & Citations - [On connaît la date des obsèques d’Eric Roy](https://www.nicematin.com/sports/football/on-connait-la-date-des-obseques-d-eric-roy-10685588) — GNews.io (2026-06-18) --- Cite: Eric Roy's Funeral Set for June 23 in Nice. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/on-conna-t-la-date-des-obs-ques-d-eric-roy-e0400fa2