Seven clubs, including OL and Metz, urge government to advance pro football reform | OneFootball

Seven Ligue 1 club executives have urged the French government to fast-track a bill to reform professional football, including changes to the LFP.

According to Le Progres, a joint column published on Wednesday set out the appeal, with signatories including Michele Kang for OL, Bernard Serin for FC Metz, Frank McCourt of OM and Joseph Oughourlian of RC Lens. They warned about the state of the domestic game and asked for the bill to be placed swiftly on the National Assembly agenda.

The bill, advanced by Laurent Lafon and Michel Savin, was approved by the Senate in June 2025 but has stalled. The signatories say it is intended to allow the next professional season to begin under renewed governance. Savin had urged clubs to take a public stand, especially those with strong voices, and this move answers that call.

The column highlighted the sector’s economic weight, citing 40,000 jobs nationwide, more than five billion euros generated and over one billion euros in fiscal and social contributions. It warned that the ecosystem is fragile compared with other major leagues, largely due to falling TV rights in recent seasons. Broadcast income now accounts for 19% of Ligue 1 club revenues, against 35% to 46% elsewhere in Europe.

The leaders voiced concern over sporting consequences and a possible decline in status for French professional football. Through the bill, they seek to professionalise the management of broadcast rights and rethink how the league is promoted to fans and broadcasters. They propose replacing the current LFP, chaired by Vincent Labrune, with a clubs’ company modelled on leading European championships.

Source: Le Progres