Ligue 1 Faces New Crisis as Club Divisions Deepen Over TV Rights and Governance
Paris, France – November 11, 2025 – French football’s top tier, Ligue 1, is bracing for another contentious showdown as internal divisions widen over broadcasting rights, financial governance, and the direction of the league. Years of turbulence – fueled by broadcaster disputes, the controversial CVC Capital Partners deal, and persistent disagreements between stakeholders – have created a fractured landscape where behind-the-scenes battles are commonplace.
Recent public clashes between Paris Saint-Germain’s Nasser al-Khelaïfi, RC Lens’ joseph Oughourlian, and Olympique Lyonnais’ John Textor over the sale of television rights underscore the depth of the discord. These disputes highlight a fundamental power struggle for control and revenue distribution within the league.
The formation of Foot Unis, a union intended to consolidate club power in negotiations with the League, the French Football Federation (FFF), and government authorities, offered a potential path towards unity. Victoriano Melero, CEO of PSG, was elected president of Foot Unis this past June, succeeding Laurent Nicollin. However, early indications suggest the union is failing to quell the rising tensions.
Key Clubs Feel Excluded From Crucial Discussions
According to reporting from RMC Sport, Wednesday’s Ligue 1 board meeting is expected to be notably fraught. Several prominent club presidents have expressed outrage after being excluded from recent meetings concerning the future of French football, including discussions held last October.
Those sidelined include leaders from RC Lens, Stade Rennais, Paris FC, Olympique Lyonnais, and Olympique de Marseille – a notable bloc within the league.These clubs have formally lodged a complaint with Foot Unis,demanding an clarification
