National Assembly committee backs 25% cap on pro clubs’ votes at FFF | OneFootball

The National Assembly’s culture and education committee has adopted amendment AC178 to fix professional clubs’ voting power at 25% in FFF elections, according to L'Équipe.

The Senate approved the professional sport reform bill nearly a year ago, with senators Michel Savin and Laurent Lafon promoting a reduction in pro clubs’ influence, a move unpopular within the professional game. The text remains under committee scrutiny while a date for the floor is awaited.

In talks with the League ahead of the lower-house stage, the FFF pushed an amendment to keep 33%. On Tuesday night the committee backed deputy Lionel Duparay’s proposal, rejecting the Federation’s bid.

With the Assembly and Senate aligned, the issue should not return in the joint committee of the two chambers and is unlikely to change. For the League and the FFF, it is a setback.

On Wednesday morning the committee also adopted three amendments from Éric Coquerel of LFI on multi-club ownership. Belkhir Belhaddad, a Socialist deputy for Moselle, said the approach is tighter, more legally robust regulation rather than an outright ban. He described the debates as good-natured.

He expects between 300 and 350 amendments overall, and said that if the government finds a slot for the Assembly to examine the bill, it will run its course. The sitting pencilled in for 18 May was postponed and no new date has been set. He said he is optimistic.

Source: L'Équipe