The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has come up with a new idea to showcase French football and boost its appeal among fans. The initiative involves special match balls for high-profile fixtures featuring intense rivalries, each displaying the crests of both competing clubs. These include “Le Classique” (PSG vs. OM and OM vs. PSG), “L’Olympique” (OL vs. OM and OM vs. OL), the “Derby du Nord” (Lille vs. Lens and Lens vs. Lille), the “Derby de la Côte d’Azur” (Monaco vs. Nice and Nice vs. Monaco), and the “Derby de Paris” (PSG vs. Paris FC and Paris FC vs. PSG). The debut will take place this Sunday during the Matchday 5 Ligue 1 clash between OM and PSG at the Stade Vélodrome.
“Five matchups, five special-edition balls
For each of these major events, DECATHLON/KIPSTA has designed a ball with an exclusive look that incorporates the visual identity of Ligue 1 McDonald’s. The crests of the two clubs face each other in a design inspired by the league’s visual universe, notably combining the ‘The One’ ball model with the signature electric pink associated with these ‘Highlight Matches.’ Each ball thus becomes the visual embodiment of a key fixture of the season.” The five matches covered by this initiative are:
– Le Classique (OM vs. PSG on Matchday 5, PSG vs. OM on Matchday 19)
– L’Olympique (OL vs. OM on Matchday 14, OM vs. OL on Matchday 25)
– The Northern Derby (LOSC vs. RC Lens on Matchday 9, RC Lens vs. LOSC on Matchday 25)
– The Côte d’Azur Derby (AS Monaco vs. OGC Nice on Matchday 15, OGC Nice vs. AS Monaco on Matchday 33)
– The Paris Derby (PSG vs. Paris FC on Matchday 14, Paris FC vs. PSG on Matchday 26)
It is hard to say for certain whether this operation will be a success, but the willingness to find ways to move football forward deserves applause. Admittedly, this measure alone won’t provide every club with the substantial budget needed to progress. However, progress is often made through small steps. At the very least, it is not a negative move. Of course, the balls will also need to look good and be easy to see during matches. It is safe to assume the LFP has done its homework.
