beIN Sports pays full Ligue 1 instalment after court order and starts clearing arrears | OneFootball

beIN Sports has paid its full fourth instalment for the Saturday Ligue 1 slot and begun settling arrears following a court ruling.

On 27 January, the court ruled against beIN in its dispute with LFP Media, the league’s commercial arm. According to L'Équipe, unhappy with broadcast restrictions on the Saturday afternoon slot, the channel withheld part of the 78.5 million euros due annually, deducting 4.71 million euros from each 18 million euro instalment across three payments, and sought 29 million euros in damages.

The Paris economic activities court ordered payment of 14.13 million euros in unpaid balances to LFP Media. It covers instalments dated 5 August, 5 October and 5 December 2025 with late interest, bringing the sum to 15 million euros that is close to being settled.

The broadcaster has since halted deductions and paid the fourth instalment in full, 18 million euros. beIN said it is fully complying with the ruling, while still considering an appeal.

From next season, beIN Sports will no longer broadcast Ligue 1. Ligue 1+, the LFP’s platform, will carry all matches, with a price rise from the current 14.99 euros per month with commitment.

Meanwhile, the two parties are competing for rights to the next World Cup, of which 54 matches will be co-broadcast by M6. Ligue 1+ has sent FIFA a signed contract worth 20 million euros, 17 million in rights plus 2.5 million in production costs. beIN has not withdrawn, so the decision remains uncertain.

Source: L'Équipe