France Télévisions unhappy as FFF shifts Coupe de France final to Friday | OneFootball

France Télévisions is irritated after the French federation moved the Coupe de France final to Friday 22 May, according to L'Équipe. The switch is to avoid transport closures the next day.

The FFF has written to France Télévisions and beIN Sports confirming the change from Saturday 23 May. It cites force majeure linked to Grand Paris works that will shut RER lines B and D serving the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Finals are usually on Saturdays.

The public broadcaster is due to show the Challenge Cup decider that night. If a French club reaches it, two major events would clash on its channels. Five French clubs are in the last 16.

France Télévisions has flagged the issue, but the FFF says it has no alternative. The broadcaster regrets the competitions competing, though a legal challenge does not appear likely.

The row comes amid stalled renewal talks. This is the last season of a deal in which France Télévisions pays eight million euros a year for one tie each round and the final, co-broadcast with beIN Sports.

The public group is seeking to halve its spend to four million euros annually, an offer not yet approved internally and unacceptable to the FFF. beIN Sports has renewed at nine million euros per year until 2030, up from four. FFF officials could not be reached, and the change still requires executive committee ratification on Tuesday.

Source: L'Équipe