France's football in the crisis: senators raise the alarm!

France's football in the crisis: senators raise the alarm!

Stand: October 31, 2024 9:50 pm

France's football is in a deep financial crisis! The French Senate revealed serious grievances during an investigation: conflicts of interest, wasteful expenditure and catastrophic economic decisions - the future of the LFP is on the brink!

In summer the sale of national media rights was handled by the LFP, which the DFL is similar to in Germany, under enormous pressure. For the next five years, less than 500 million euros per season will flow - a disastrous result that lags far behind the desired income of one billion euros. The senators Michel Savin and Laurent Lafon, who wrote the report, are alerted: "mistakes were made and no teachings were made," warned Savin. He fears that several clubs have to close their gates.

Senate names problems: interest conflicts and Voices

The senators covered several explosive problems: the private equity company CVC invested 1.5 billion euros in the LFP, but the clubs have to hand in 13 percent of their TV income. The report criticizes the unequal distribution of the funds - while PSG received 200 million euros, only 16.5 million went to relegations. In addition, LFP boss Vincent Labrune is accused of having enriched himself through a bonus, while Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President of PSG, is trapped in a conflict of interest, since he is also the managing director of Bein Sports, which has bought parts of media rights.

The league lives about its circumstances! Despite the disastrous financial Situation, the LFP has acquired a new headquarters for over 130 million euros in Paris. The report urgently demands reforms: more transparency, a limitation to a TV station for the allocation of rights and an upper limit for player salaries. Senator Savin even demands that Labrune should do without part of his salary - a clear sign that the LFP has to rethink in the current situation!