Nice’s eagle mascot Mefi soaked by rogue sprinkler before Roma clash

OGC Nice’s celebrated eagle mascot, Mefi, and her trainer were left drenched after a stray pitch sprinkler burst into life during the pre-match show ahead of the club’s Europa League tie with Roma at the Allianz Riviera.

Mefi is one of the most recognisable mascots in European football, famously mirroring Nice’s crest and performing a swooping flight around the stadium before kick-off. The routine typically ends with the eagle landing on her trainer’s arm to collect a treat, but this time the display was interrupted in spectacular fashion.

As Mefi came in to land, one of the pitch sprinklers suddenly activated at full force, soaking both bird and trainer in front of the watching crowd. The jets hit with such power that the trainer was forced to yank out his sodden in-ear headphones mid-routine.

Crowd amused despite the mishap

Footage of the incident, shared by Football on TNT Sports, showed the trainer momentarily stunned before recovering his composure with a smile and a thumbs-up to supporters. Mefi herself appeared largely unfazed by the sudden soaking, continuing her pre-match routine with her usual poise.

The clip quickly drew laughter among fans watching both inside the Allianz Riviera and online, offering a light-hearted moment before a night that ultimately turned sour for the home side.

Nice slip to defeat in front of Ratcliffe

Franck Haise’s Nice side went on to lose 2-1 to Roma on the night, a result watched on by club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose INEOS group also holds a stake in Manchester United.

Just as Mefi’s carefully choreographed display was undone by an untimely blast of water, so too was Nice’s evening on the pitch, leaving home supporters with little to cheer beyond the mascot mishap.