As part of a broader legislative effort to reform French football, a bill recently proposed and passed by the Senate includes measures aimed at reducing the financial disparities linked to the distribution of television rights revenue. This specific aspect of the bill has reportedly become a major source of tension between the wealthier and less affluent clubs within the French game, as reported by L’Équipe.
If the bill receives approval from the National Assembly, following its passage in the Senate, income generated from TV rights would be allocated more fairly than is currently the practice. While Paris Saint-Germain would likely continue to earn the largest share from TV rights, the proposed legislation intends to significantly narrow the financial gap by allocating a greater proportion of funds to `smaller` clubs in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
Some of the larger clubs are reportedly displeased with this proposed change and have attempted to influence the process through lobbying efforts, reportedly engaging sympathetic senators to counteract the new measure. Three amendments were put forward to modify the original bill, but all have been rejected.
Consequently, the proposed changes to the distribution of TV rights income are now creating friction between the big and small clubs across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Furthermore, the head of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, has also faced criticism from clubs. Some club presidents reportedly suspect that Diallo, leveraging his perceived close relationships with certain senators, is the driving force behind the initiative to share TV rights income more equitably.
