The continuous soap opera. Canal+ and LFP Media had negotiated the basics of a distribution agreement for the new Ligue 1+ channel in recent days, as revealed Tuesday by The team. But in the final stretch, everything has come up in: the commercial subsidiary of the League has conditioned the signing abandoned by Canal+ of its legal proceedings against French professional football. A prerequisite immediately refused by the encrypted chain.
This litigation dates back to cycle 2021-2024, after the Fiasco Mediapp. The league had sold the broadcasting rights to Amazon for € 250 million per season, while maintaining the 2020 contract with Canal+ for 20 % of matches, at € 332 million per year. A situation deemed untenable by the Maxime Saada group, which has been claiming for € 600 million in compensation.
For Canal+, despite the lack of renunciation, the agreement would have been concluded. Still according to The teamthe encrypted channel even notified in writing the existence of an agreement to French football leaders. A vision firmly rejected by Nicolas de Tavernost, managing director of LFP Media, who ensures that“No agreement exists”.
Restore a bond of trust
In a letter addressed on Wednesday noon at Ligue 1 clubs and consulted by the sports daily, Tavernost justifies the condition posed: “The request to withdraw prosecution is not only motivated to end an almost permanent legal fight (…), but also to mark a reestablished bond of confidence between LFP/LFP Media and the Canal+group. »» And to emphasize the need for a peaceful climate: “It is all the more important as the execution of a distribution contract”.
Clearly, Canal+ believes that it has the right to distribute Ligue 1+, even without withdrawing its complaint. But the former M6 boss confirms it: “The Canal+ group refused to withdraw its prosecution, and, despite the explicit absence of an agreement between it and LFP Media, now wishes to force the distribution of Ligue 1+. »» As a result, a new confrontation is looming between two historic players in French football.
