French football is on the edge of the abyss, but a little glimmer of hope emerges for a exit from the crisis. While Dazn refuses to pay all of its February deadline, the LFP is ready to make an unprecedented sacrifice to avoid a financial collapse of the clubs.
A reserve fund to appease the storm
The Professional Football League and its President Vincent Labrune have decided to draw from its reserve fund to pay the clubs in the coming days. A decision that illustrates the urgency of the situation, while the Paris Economic Activities Tribunal will not return its verdict on the case opposing it to Dazn until February 28.
Dazn, the main diffuser of Ligue 1, paid only 35 million euros out of the 70 million due, placing the rest under receivers. The platform criticizes the LFP a lack of support, especially in the fight against hacking, and the lack of involvement of certain clubs in improving the product.
French football crisis: LFP against the Dazn dilemma
Weakened clubs and an uncertain future
For Dazn, the League has not respected its commitments. The platform lawyer, Me Jean-Luc Larribau, denounced an “immense bad faith” and accused the LFP of exposing the clubs to a critical situation. This dispute directly affects already weakened clubs, such as RC Lens, forced to sell several executives in recent weeks.
A highly anticipated verdict
The president of the court, Patrick Sayer, aware of the emergency, asked for more time to study the 110 pages of conclusions. Meanwhile, the LFP tries to reassure: “The League is finding a solution to make clubs have their money in due time,” indicates a source close to the body.
But this temporary solution could cost the LFP dearly if the verdict is not favorable to it. One thing is certain: February 28 could mark a turning point for the financial future of French football.
