Ousmane Dembélé’s viral clip targeting Leonardo Balerdi reignites debate over behind the scenes content | OneFootball

A 17-second Ligue 1+ clip of Ousmane Dembélé appearing to criticise Leonardo Balerdi during PSG’s 5-0 win over Marseille has gone viral, reigniting debate over behind the scenes content.

Shared on the channel’s X account, the mid-game footage, captured while Dembélé addressed Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg, uses subtitles because his words are inaudible. According to L'Équipe, it was escalated to Nicolas de Tavernost, the departing LFP Media and Ligue 1+ chief, who approved it. It also trails "Vérité", released Friday at 18:00 before Rennes-PSG.

Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille were not told in advance, discovering the post only when it went live. Neither club was pleased, and a senior figure at one of them said others now fear being caught out by similar clips.

Broadcasters have long offered inside access, but with strict frameworks. Charles Biétry, Canal+ head of sport in the 1980s and 1990s, said microphones required consent, private exchanges were off limits, and journalists should avoid shock for its own sake.

Such access later helped J+1 become essential viewing for Ligue 1 fans. This week the Ligue 1+ clip surpassed 2 million views on X, more reaction than any of the channel’s previous posts. Producer Pierre-Antoine Capton has argued that greater openness would bring more emotion, a goal many big leagues and federations now pursue with mixed results.

Source: L'Équipe