A comprehensive bill, recently approved by the Senate, seeks to enact significant reforms within French football. A key component of this legislation addresses the distribution of revenue from television rights, aiming to reduce the existing financial gap between clubs. This specific aspect of the bill has reportedly become a major source of conflict between the wealthier and less affluent clubs in the French football system, as reported by L`Équipe.
If this bill successfully passes through the National Assembly, mirroring its Senate approval, the income generated from TV rights would be allocated more evenly than the current system. While Paris Saint-Germain would likely remain the top earner, the proposal intends to significantly narrow the financial divide by directing a larger share of revenue towards `smaller` clubs in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
Understandably, some of the larger clubs have voiced their discontent with this proposed change. They have reportedly engaged in lobbying efforts, enlisting the support of sympathetic senators to oppose the new measure. Despite these attempts, three amendments proposed against the original bill have all been rejected.
Consequently, the proposed shift in TV rights distribution has escalated tensions between the prominent clubs and their smaller counterparts in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Furthermore, Philippe Diallo, the head of the French Football Federation (FFF), has also faced criticism from clubs. Some club presidents suspect that Diallo, leveraging his alleged close ties with certain senators, is the driving force behind the initiative to distribute television rights income more equitably.
