At a time when the TV rights crisis is in full swing and DAZN has refused its financial commitments, the Ligue de Football Professionnelle issued a statement, relayed by RMC Sport, strongly condemning the sports channel’s actions.
“In particular, the LFP has decided to refer the matter to the interim relief judge.”
LFP press release:
“The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has taken note of DAZN’s unfounded refusal to honor its financial commitments. For its part, the LFP scrupulously respects all its contractual commitments and will do everything in its power to assert its rights.
In particular, the LFP has decided to apply to the interim relief judge to obtain an urgent order for DAZN to pay the sums stipulated in the contract, and for an injunction to perform all its contractual obligations. The LFP intends to firmly defend the interests of French professional clubs, while hoping for an amicable outcome to this dispute, which it hopes will be temporary.”
Channels must not be allowed to hold clubs and the League hostage. The channel argues that the LFP has not done enough to combat pirates who circumvent the rules. But we must also recognize that DAZN has clearly had a very aggressive policy with its subscription prices.
There’s no question of endorsing streaming and illegal offers, but the channel has chosen, and despite being warned by historic channels and the Amazon flop, DAZN has continued to keep its prices off the market. There’s a commitment and the channel’s credibility is at stake. On the LFP side, things also need to change, as Vincent Labrune has clearly failed.
