Nicolas de Tavernost flags potential conflicts in FIFA’s beIN Sports World Cup rights award | OneFootball

Nicolas de Tavernost, chief executive of LFP Media, questioned the process and raised potential conflicts of interest around FIFA awarding the 2026 World Cup rights to beIN Sports rather than Ligue 1+. According to L'Équipe, he set out his concerns before the Senate’s culture, education, communication and sport commission on Wednesday.

He said FIFA first approached LFP Media in January. Ligue 1+ appeared to be in front before the governing body chose beIN Sports in February.

De Tavernost said a draft contract was unanimously approved by the clubs, then sent to FIFA, and they expected routine sign-off by the organisation’s board. That approval did not come, and he said they were told negotiations were ended without further explanation.

Asked about Paris Saint-Germain and its president Nasser al-Khelaïfi, who also leads beIN Media Group, he initially declined to comment. He then acknowledged there were obviously potential conflicts of interest.

De Tavernost also regretted what he saw as a lack of support from French football, which he said prompted his resignation. He said neither the FFF nor the LFP chose to press FIFA over the issue, so he acted, believing club interests were not being defended.

Source: L'Équipe