French Senate Proposes Reforms to Tackle Football Governance Issues
The French Senate is probing reforms in football governance to address economic mismanagement and transparency issues.
Key Points
- • The Senate's proposal addresses economic mismanagement in football governance.
- • Clubs face revenue distribution disparities, currently at a ratio of 1 to 5, potentially changing to 1 to 3.
- • Strong resistance from the LFP highlights concerns over autonomy and governance changes.
- • Provisions may impact prominent figures like PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi due to conflicts of interest.
The French Senate is actively reviewing a proposal aimed at reforming the governance of professional sports, particularly focusing on football. Initiated due to significant economic mismanagement concerns, this proposal could drastically reshape the structure and oversight of the Ligue de football professionnel (LFP), amid strong resistance from professional leagues.
The scrutiny of the LFP follows a recent Senate inquiry that criticized its handling of a contentious contract with investment firm CVC Capital Partners, which involved a €1.5 billion investment in exchange for roughly 13% of the league's commercial revenues. Senators Laurent Lafon and Michel Savin expressed concerns regarding the lack of transparency and the dilution of power within the LFP, branding the situation as 'more than worrying'. The proposed reforms aim to rectify these dysfunctions by improving governance and addressing issues such as revenue distribution disparities among clubs.
One notable aspect of the reform is a provision that would allow federations to withdraw the public service delegation from leagues if they fail to serve the sport's general interests. This approach has provoked a strong backlash from the LFP, which perceives it as a drastic intrusion that jeopardizes its autonomy. In light of these concerns, the proposal has incorporated safeguards, including necessary prior approval from the Minister of Sports and a stipulated six-month notice period for any withdrawal.
Additionally, the recommendations stemming from the États généraux du football professionnel call for creating a second professional league to enhance women's sports and adjusting the revenue distribution formula, aiming to reduce the current disparity ratio from 1 to 5 down to 1 to 3. The proposal also considers implementing salary caps for executive roles within the LFP, following controversies surrounding high compensations, notably for Vincent Labrune.
Moreover, the potential conflict of interest posed by prominent figures in French football, like PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, is acknowledged as a matter requiring attention, given his dual roles in media and football governance. As discussions unfold, the government's backing of several amendments suggests a vested interest in advancing these reforms, paving the way for substantial changes in the future governance of French football.