Vincent Labrune Denies Allegations of Subservience to PSG and BeIN Sports Amidst Rising Tensions in French Football
The president of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), Vincent Labrune, has vehemently refuted accusations that he is beholden to Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and BeIN Sports. In an interview with L’Equipe on Friday, February 28th, Labrune addressed the growing criticisms leveled against him, dismissing them as unfounded and defamatory.
"I am not subservient to Nasser Al-Khelaïfi," Labrune asserted, aiming to dispel the perception that his decisions as head of the LFP are influenced by the interests of PSG and its Qatari ownership. He emphasized that the allegations are "completely false, built on nothing, and totally defamatory."
The controversy surrounding Labrune’s leadership has intensified in recent weeks, fueled by public displays of discontent from rival club owners and fan groups. He announced his intention to "file a complaint against certain banners placed in the OL stadium" during a match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and PSG on Sunday, February 23rd. The banners displayed messages such as "Magouilles et corruption: le Qatar tue le foot français" (Scheming and corruption: Qatar is killing French football) and "Labrune corrompu, à genoux devant Nasser" (Corrupt Labrune, on his knees before Nasser).
These expressions of anger reflect a deeper unease within the French football landscape, with concerns mounting about the perceived dominance of PSG and the influence of Qatari investment on the sport.
John Textor, the president and owner of Olympique Lyonnais, has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Labrune and the alleged favoritism shown towards PSG. In an interview with RMC on January 13th, Textor denounced the "protection" that, according to him, the capital club enjoys within French football. He went so far as to label Vincent Labrune as Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s "little puppy." Further fueling the fire, Textor reiterated his concerns in an interview with L’Equipe on February 20th, highlighting "all the conflicts of interest" that he believes distort the debate, particularly regarding the allocation of television rights. He specifically pointed to Al-Khelaïfi’s dual role as both the president of PSG and a prominent figure in BeIN Sports, raising questions about impartiality.
The tensions surrounding the allocation of TV rights reached a boiling point in mid-February, when excerpts from a LFP board meeting were leaked to the media. "Complément d’enquête" on France 2 and L’Equipe revealed the heated exchanges between Al-Khelaïfi and other club presidents, including Textor and Joseph Oughourlian, president of RC Lens. These revelations further exposed the divisions within the league and fueled the perception that Al-Khelaïfi wields undue influence.
Addressing the contentious meeting, Labrune defended his expression of gratitude to BeIN Sports, stating, "When I take the floor and thank BeIN, it is simply because we are moving from a situation where we had 400 million euros per year to another where we are going to 500 million." He argued that acknowledging BeIN’s financial contribution, even if it fell short of his personal expectations, was a matter of common courtesy. "When people give you money, even if it’s not the amounts I personally expected, you thank people for the effort rather than insulting them," he explained.
Labrune further defended Qatar’s role in French football, emphasizing its significance as a major investor over the past fourteen years. "Qatar, whether we like it or not, has been a major investor in French football for fourteen years," he stated. Regarding the television rights issue, he acknowledged the disappointment felt by some but highlighted BeIN’s contribution of 210 million euros in a challenging market. He also pointed out BeIN’s willingness to contribute 40 million euros to Ligue 2, despite being the sole bidder.
Despite facing calls for his resignation from various supporter groups across France, Labrune maintained that he is driven solely by "the general interest and not by [his] personal case." He acknowledged the challenges and pressures of leading French professional football, stating that he experiences "a lot of trouble and little pleasure" in the role. However, he expressed optimism about the future of French football, believing that it "can be brilliant."
The controversy surrounding Vincent Labrune and the allegations of undue influence from PSG and BeIN Sports highlight the complex dynamics within French football. The debate extends beyond individual personalities and touches upon broader issues of financial disparities, competitive balance, and the role of foreign investment in the sport. As the LFP navigates these challenges, the pressure on Labrune to demonstrate impartiality and uphold the integrity of the league will undoubtedly remain intense. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether he can restore trust and effectively address the concerns of rival club owners and fans. The future direction of French football hangs in the balance.
The article from Le Monde with AFP provides a snapshot of a crucial moment in French football, where the lines between business, competition, and national pride are increasingly blurred. It’s a situation that warrants careful observation and analysis as it unfolds.
