Ligue 1 Faces Leadership and Financial Turmoil Over TV Rights and Club Disputes

John Textor accuses PSG of unfair competition and threatens legal action, as tensions mount over governance and financial challenges in French football.

John Textor, president of Olympique Lyonnais, has threatened to take legal action against PSG for alleged illegal foreign subsidies from Qatar, claiming they distort competition in Ligue 1.
Textor criticized Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, PSG president, for his dual role as head of BeIN Sports, citing a significant conflict of interest in the management of Ligue 1's TV rights negotiations.
The July 2024 meeting of Ligue 1 club presidents, revealed through leaked footage, highlighted deep divisions, with accusations of intimidation and governance failures during discussions on TV rights deals with DAZN and BeIN Sports.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) is embroiled in a financial crisis as DAZN, the primary Ligue 1 broadcaster, has withheld payments and filed a lawsuit, citing lack of transparency and unmet contractual obligations.
A mediation meeting involving the French Football Federation, LFP, and other stakeholders is scheduled for March 3 to address the ongoing financial and governance issues in Ligue 1.