“I do not imagine that Canal+ takes place from Ligue 1 permanently. (…) The door will always be open. »»
Nicolas de Tavernost regrets it, but it is without the support of the encrypted channel that the Professional Football League will launch its new platform next season. However, the new director general of LFP Medias still hopes to see the private group, led by Maxime Saada, one day returning to the game.
When ? Not by the resumption of the championship, the weekend of August 16 and 17. This scenario is now excluded. “I have always called for a return from Canal+. But the conditions for an agreement are not met todayconfirms Pierre Ferracci, the president of Paris FC, in an interview with the newspaper The Parisian. Canal does not want, laying down conditions that cannot be accepted. So there, we don't have too much choice. »»
On the other hand, the situation could change in a year because the LFP will recover the rights of the match on Saturday at 5 p.m., now detained by BeIN Sports. With 100% of Ligue 1 to offer, a single diffuser could again position itself. “Even if it depends on them, I hope that by next year, we will have better conditions to prepare the return of Canal, because it is the interest of football but also of canal”estimates the boss of the PFC.
Ligue 1 return to Canal+ “next year”?
In 2026, Canal+ will enter the last year of its contract concluded with UEFA for the dissemination rights of the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League. A deal that weighs heavily in its finances: 480 million euros per season. Will the encrypted chain take the risk of further wearing its expenses by also investing in Ligue 1 from 2026-2027 or will it wait one more year?
In The teamNicolas de Tavernost explained to expect to live “Certainly two difficult years”. In his mind, therefore, nothing should move with Canal+ before 2027. But Pierre Ferracci does not hide his impatience: “The path is not very open today, I see it and regret it. I don't want to come back to the past. But I hope that we can find a satisfactory compromise for both parties by next year. »»
“I have not analyzed Maxime Saada's words as a posture of negotiationshe added. They have real problems and other issues. They cannot put as much as you want in Ligue 1. so let them solve their problems and we, in the meantime, let us back up the sleeves to participate in the success of this channel. »» After the MEDIAPRO fiasco and Dazn flop, there is work.
