Tight timetable as French pro football governance reform targets 2026-27 start | OneFootball

France’s bill on professional sport, which includes reform of pro football governance and anti-piracy measures, is set to be debated in the National Assembly on 18 May.

The Minister of Sports, Marina Ferrari, said in a statement that it is scheduled for that date. She added that the text aims to curb piracy, tighten federation league relations under ministerial authority, and structure women’s professional sport and football governance to help secure the sector’s finances.

After several delays, momentum has returned. The bill passed the Senate in June last year, 10 months ago, but political uncertainty in France, global instability and lobbying by clubs opposed to measures such as replacing the League with a company of clubs including Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 with partners like CVC, and a stronger FFF role, slowed its path to the Assembly.

In recent weeks, from the Élysée to Matignon and the sports ministry, there has been a push to conclude the process. Ferrari has been working with the Assembly’s committee, while the FFF and pro clubs are to resume talks on points of friction, notably the FFF’s veto right.

The initial plan was for the governance changes to be approved by the FFF’s federal assembly in June so they could take effect in 2026-27. The timetable looks tight, but it might yet happen. If adopted, the shift would mark a clear break for French professional football.

Source: L'Équipe