Exclusive Footage Exposes Tumultuous League 1 Meeting on TV Rights
Exclusive footage has surfaced that exposes a heated and controversial meeting held in the summer of 2024 between presidents of the Ligue 1 clubs.
The 2-hour 15-minute meeting, held just weeks before the start of the championship, was convened to resolve the highly contentious issue of TV rights attribution.
Attendance and Introductions
All 41 club presidents were present, including influential figures such as Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (PSG and beIN Media Group), John Textor (Olympique Lyonnais), and Vincent Labrune (LFP).
Labrune opened the meeting by introducing Al-Khelaïfi as the "savior of French football." However, this view was not shared by many other participants.
Clash Between Al-Khelaïfi and Oughourlian
The meeting quickly became heated, with an exchange between Joseph Oughourlian (RC Lens) and Al-Khelaïfi. Oughourlian accused Al-Khelaïfi of intimidating others and acting against the interests of the league and clubs.
Al-Khelaïfi responded aggressively, accusing Oughourlian of disrespect and claiming that he and beIN had no conflict of interest.
Intervention by Textor and Others
John Textor stepped into the fray, confronting Al-Khelaïfi and accusing him of "bullying everyone." Textor argued that Al-Khelaïfi did not understand the concept of conflict of interest.
Other presidents also expressed their concerns, highlighting the detrimental impact of Al-Khelaïfi’s behavior on the league’s image and credibility.
Outcome of the Meeting
Despite the turmoil, an agreement was eventually reached between beIN Sports (offering €100 million per season for a single Ligue 1 match per week) and DAZN.
Reflection on the State of French Football
However, the meeting exposed the deep divisions and poor management within French football. It raised questions about the influence of powerful individuals and the lack of transparency and fairness in the league’s decision-making process.
The footage serves as a reminder of the urgent need for reform within French football to address these issues and ensure a more positive and sustainable future for the sport.
