Ligue 1 matches could soon be free on television

A proposal that could delight many football fans is being examined. After several delays, the French National Assembly reviewed a bill on Monday that aims to reform French football. Among the debated amendments is a requirement to broadcast one Ligue 1 match free on television each week.

This provision is under public session scrutiny this Monday. The lawmakers behind the amendment argue that “the multiplication of broadcasters for various sports competitions, and thus the multiplication of paid subscriptions, strongly distances viewers from sporting events and encourages the development of piracy.”

A contested measure

The proposal, however, faces strong opposition from professional leagues and several sports stakeholders. In a joint statement published on June 25, they consider such a measure “would mechanically reduce the value of rights at a time when French sports must diversify its resources and strengthen its financing.” In a column, 22 presidents of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs also denounced a measure that “is not neutral.”

The bill is still far from being definitively adopted. It may be modified following debates in the National Assembly, before being examined in a joint committee on July 21. Beyond the issue of free broadcasting, the bill also addresses combating piracy, strengthening the role of federations and the Ministry of Sports in the governance of professional leagues, redistributing audiovisual revenues, and capping executive compensation.