Jean-Michel Aulas, vice-president of the French Football Federation, brought together the presidents to launch D1 Arkéma to new heights.
Jean-Michel Aulas has big ambitions for the future of D1 Arkema. The vice-president of the French Football Federation (FFF) brought together the presidents of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 Féminine clubs at the Federation’s headquarters this Tuesday. The objective was clear: launch a major project to make D1 Arkéma the first European women’s football league.
Aulas expressed his satisfaction with the massive presence of presidents, a sign of a growing commitment to women’s football, before unveiling his project. “I am very satisfied with the presence of the presidents, who are almost all there. It’s still a performance. A few years ago, I don’t think we would have had full assistance from the presidents of D1 and D2 concerned. It was a very good meeting, they all want to participate in our D1 Arkema. “, did he declare.
“We want to have five to six clubs playing for the title”
The former OL boss wants to attract TV rights by banking on a more attractive and competitive D1 Arkéma. The model of the English Premier League, with its numerous clubs capable of competing for the title, is thus cited as an example. “We want to make it the first European League. And for that, we need to structure now. Twenty years ago, when England launched the Premier League, the idea was to have several clubs capable of winning the title. We want to have five to six clubs playing for the title. We must therefore attract TV rights as England did for boys. This is the project that we are trying to set up,” JMA said.
“The widening of the D1”
The Rhone leader’s plan materializes through several concrete steps. The first consists of establishing the Professional Women’s Football League (LPFF) by July 1, 2024. But also, the professionalization of the D2, with the creation of a specific license for this championship. “What are the next goals? In the short term, the establishment of the LPFF from a legal point of view. We would have six or seven people specialized in the LPFF. The kick-off is July 1, 2024. We will take care of the professionalization of the D2, with a license which will apply to this championship, as was the case last year with the D1 . There are a certain number of hypotheses still to be discussed with the clubs, including the expansion of D1. I would like us to have all the major French men’s clubs in this women’s D1,” concluded Aulas.
