Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation, was in front of the press yesterday to make some big announcements for the future of French soccer. At the very least, he presented a project that would change many things. These include the status of the governing bodies, and even the end of the Ligue de Football Professionnel. The idea is to work more collectively and review certain rules in order to get back on track. These comments were relayed by L’Equipe.
Diallo “We’ll be moving from a 1901 association to a commercial company”.
“I’d like to see the creation of a commercial company of clubs (with one vote each) linked directly to the Federation. We’ll be moving from an association under the law of 1901 to a commercial company. Unlike LFP Media, which was concerned solely with revenues, we’ll still be responsible for promoting the Championship, as well as the physical organization of competitions. In this commercial company, there will no longer be an elected president. Management will be in the hands of a board of directors, headed by a CEO recruited by the clubs, who will be salaried and can be dismissed ad nutum (immediately).
Diallo “The League, in its current form, would disappear”.
The FFF will have a preferential right to act as guarantor of the general interest, with a right of veto, for example, on the competition format and the number of ascents and descents. The FFF will also play a regulatory role. A certain number of powers that are the responsibility of the LFP will be transferred to the Federation. I’m thinking in particular of the DNCG. The League, in its current form, would disappear. In any case, it had become something of an empty shell, since it no longer had any resources.
Diallo “a broadcasting platform that will ensure its future income.
In the short term, the FFF will be keeping a close eye on the outcome of Nicolas de Tavernost’s work on DAZN and the follow-up, which takes the form of a TV channel, certainly with a partner. This would enable French soccer to have a broadcasting platform that would guarantee revenues for the future.
Diallo: “I’m also going to propose that it bring a certain number of UEFA-inspired financial ratios”.
In conjunction with the DNCG, I’m also going to propose that it introduce a certain number of UEFA-inspired financial ratios, and I’m thinking in particular of capping the wage bill. I’ll also be proposing a limit on the number of staff,” he continues. All this to enable a return to financial equilibrium.”
For several years now, French soccer has seemed to be bogged down, and we’ve been lamenting the fact that the FFF and LFP leaders haven’t made any significant and interesting changes. But it’s all come down to a new lease of life, which Philippe Diallo embodies to some extent.
There was the move to 18 clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, initially much criticized, but to which we’re now getting used. This is now followed by the arrival of Ligue 3 for the 2026-2027 season. Is there reason to hope that this radical plan will be a success? It’s at least conceivable. Although we can’t be certain. But there’s never absolute certainty with any change.
French soccer has been in trouble for too long, and the high level of tension is also preventing progress. This restructuring is at least an attempt to do things differently. It could be very interesting. In fact, Vincent Labrune, current president of the LFP, whose term of office would be shortened by 2 and a half years, is said to be in favor of this decision. So much for the need for change.
We are now waiting to see the details of this project, in particular as regards the broadcasting of French soccer and the rules put in place. This could take some time yet. It’s a huge job, and we mustn’t get it wrong. In any case, let’s hope that this “construction site” goes more smoothly than the latest decisions to be taken in France. It’s a good basis on which to move forward.
