The president of the Professional Football League (LFP) Vincent Labrune said he was "ready" to "face" Mediapro which he demands that he "respect his commitments", after the non-payment by the Sino-Spanish group of rights TV linked to the L1 and L2 Championships in October.
"I expect them to respect their commitment and that at a minimum, they show responsibility in the outcome of the crisis that opposes us," said Mr. Labrune in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche.
“I am ready to face them.
I knew that such an earthquake was not to be ruled out and that a renegotiation of these TV rights was to be expected ”
“By running for the presidency of the League, I knew the general context and the associated risks.
And I am ready to face them.
I knew that such an earthquake was not to be ruled out and that a renegotiation of these TV rights was to be expected, ”explains the former president of Olympique de Marseille, elected at the head of the LFP in September.
“We discuss constructively with the conciliator in order to find a solution acceptable to each of the parties in the shortest possible time.
Because time, as it is, we do not have, ”insisted Mr. Labrune.
Mediapro, which in 2018 had awarded 80% of the rights to Ligue 1 for 780 million euros per year, has not paid the deadline estimated by L'Equipe at 172 million euros due in early October.
The Sino-Spanish group wishes to review the terms of this season's contract and has initiated conciliation proceedings with the League (LFP).
This can last up to five months, even if several media argue that the conciliator Marc Sénéchal planned to complete the process in early December.
The dispute shook the entire economy of French football because professional clubs derive on average a third of their income from TV rights.
In addition, Mr. Labrune explained to the JDD wanting to "open a debate" on the number of clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, considering that there are "too many competitions, too many clubs, too many players" in Europe , which “pulls the average level down”.
“There is no question of a closed league.
It is simply a matter of opening a debate on the number of clubs participating in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, ”according to him.
“We need to redesign the format of our competitions.
It is mandatory, otherwise we will die of boredom in terms of entertainment and exhaustion in terms of investments, ”insists Mr. Labrune.
Currently, twenty clubs play in Ligue 1 and as many in Ligue 2, for 38-day championships.
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