MPs and senators agree professional sport reform focused on football | OneFootball

MPs and senators agreed a reform on Wednesday to curb abuses, notably in football, with final adoption expected on 21 July. According to Le Progres, the deal focuses on governance and TV rights.

Senator Michel Savin, co-author with Laurent Lafon, said the text is widely awaited and will strengthen federations’ control over leagues. Assembly co-rapporteur Lionel Duparay said the joint committee reached unanimous agreement.

Federations could, with government approval, strip leagues of their public service sub-delegation in cases of failure or serious funding problems. They could also create a commercial company to assume that role in place of leagues such as the LFP.

Ministers could extend a convention in specific cases, but any extension is capped at six months, renewable. TV rights redistribution would be regulated, with a maximum gap of one to three between the best and least funded clubs. Salaries of federation leaders would be capped.

The same pay principle would apply to employees, with a derogation process for key posts, for example the France head coach. On multi-ownership, a firm ban passed by the Assembly was eased, while the DNCG was handed stronger powers.

The watchdog could oppose a sale and sanction a club, including relegation, if it deems the sporting uncertainty principle is breached. Eight clubs, including Marseille, Lens and Lyon, welcomed adjustments, while the plan also promotes women’s competitions, fights live piracy and tightens betting rules for those aged 18 to 25, though a five-minute ad ban either side of matches was dropped.

Source: Le Progres