Nicolas de Tavernost says piracy costs Ligue 1+ about €100m and backs tougher sanctions | OneFootball

Nicolas de Tavernost told a Senate committee that piracy is heavily damaging Ligue 1+ and discussed the failed 2026 World Cup bid that preceded his resignation.

The hearing on French football’s domestic rights crisis came as a reform bill heads to the National Assembly on 18 May. According to L'Équipe, he reviewed a year at LFP Media and set out Ligue 1+ figures.

Launched in August 2025, four days before the season, the platform was described as a success given a highly contentious backdrop. With two matchdays remaining, it has just under 1.1 million subscribers, roughly 70% via streaming and 30% through internet providers.

Next season the league will carry all nine matches per round, up from eight, which he said could lift subscribers by about 30% to a little over 1.3 million. With a price rise linked to that ninth game, LFP Media projects roughly €100m more revenue, still shy of this season’s €78.5m and €85m compensation from beIN Sports and DAZN. Domestic rights will remain tight and the reserve fund will be used to keep 2026-27 distribution level with 2025-26.

He said piracy has cost the platform around 400,000 subscribers and called it a scourge. Around half of Arcom’s anti-piracy requests concern Ligue 1. He urged tougher sanctions for pirates and users, including VPN usage, and viewed the bill as a major step.

Ligue 1+ had hoped to secure the 2026 World Cup rights, which instead went to beIN Sports after what he called a FIFA reversal. He criticised the process, saying FIFA initiated talks in January, clubs unanimously approved a draft, then the board did not ratify it and the league was told discussions were over without further detail. He linked that outcome to his decision to step down at the end of the season.

Source: L'Équipe