French federation looking to launch 'a la Francaise' Premier League entity
Under the proposal, French clubs and private equity firm CVC Capital Partners would become shareholders in a newly created company responsible for managing and marketing professional competitions, with the FFF also holding a stake.
"This would be a French version of the Premier League – a club-owned company with paid executives running the league," Diallo told a press conference.
The plan stems from the work of three task forces launched in early March as French football faces mounting challenges.
"This is an innovative and disruptive project compared to the current organization of professional football," Diallo said.
"It aims to lay the foundation for a rebound of our professional clubs within a more efficient and transparent framework, with a renewed role for the Federation."
Diallo emphasized the need to simplify the current structure, which includes the FFF, the LFP, and its commercial arm, LFP Media.
"With the creation of LFP Media, the LFP has become almost an empty shell," he said. "This proposal would see the LFP disappear as its functions are absorbed by the new company."
The new structure would be responsible for organising and promoting the domestic leagues, while the FFF would retain a key oversight role, including veto power over competition format changes.
"This project will require legislative changes," Diallo added.
A bill addressing the governance of professional sports in France is set to be reviewed by the Senate on June 10.
CVC invested 1.5 billion euros ($1.67 billion) in LFP Media in 2022 in exchange for a share of media revenues, and is expected to play a significant role in the new governance model.
The proposal, if enacted, would mark a major shift in how French football is managed and is seen as a response to years of financial instability and competitive imbalance within the league system.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
French buyers to participate in flagship event at Mihas 2025 in September
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is set to welcome global halal industry leaders to the 21st edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas 2025), which will take place from Sept 17 to 20 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) and organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Mihas continues to serve as the world's largest halal trade exhibition – bringing together buyers, sellers and industry leaders from more than 90 countries. This year, five French buyers from the modest fashion and food and beverage sectors are confirmed to participate in Mihas's flagship International Sourcing Programme. Malaysia's ambassador to France, Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, said Mihas is more than a trade event – it is a global platform for innovation, sustainability and quality. 'Halal is increasingly recognised worldwide as a value-based certification that ensures safety, cleanliness and integrity. It is not just for Muslims – it represents a trusted system of quality control, traceability and ethical assurance for all consumers. I am delighted to see significant French participation this year, as Malaysia continues to build bridges across Halal economies and open new avenues for global partnerships,' he added. In line with current market trends, Mihas also showcases products that emphasise organic, vegan and sustainable practices, broadening its appeal to the conscious consumer segment worldwide According to the Halal Industry Master Plan, demand for halal products is estimated at over US$3 trillion (RM12.8 trillion) and is projected to reach US$5 trillion by 2030. 'Beyond Malaysia, Mihas is a strategic gateway to the wider Asean market of over 680 million people,' said Sebastien Chan Yik Sing, the newly appointed economic counsellor at the Malaysian embassy in Paris. 'French buyers can leverage Mihas not only to source quality halal products, but also to connect with the fast-growing Asean market through Malaysia's trusted and well-established halal ecosystem.' In 2024, Mihas recorded RM4.3 billion in sales and welcomed over 43,000 visitors. The upcoming 21st edition, themed 'Pinnacle of Halal Excellence', aims to surpass these milestones with a sales target of RM4.5 billion, featuring cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools via the Madani Digital Trade Platform to enhance real-time sourcing, matchmaking and trade connections.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
'Struggling' Marchand targets second gold at swimming worlds
SINGAPORE: Leon Marchand admitted he was "struggling" on the final day of the world championships on Sunday after qualifying for the 400m individual medley final with an uncharacteristically sluggish swim. The French superstar broke the world record and won gold in the 200m individual medley earlier this week in Singapore but he was seventh fastest in the 400m medley heats with a time of 4min 13.19sec. Marchand, who broke Michael Phelps's 400m individual medley world record at the world championships in Japan two years ago, said his performance "worries" him ahead of Sunday night's final. "I would have preferred to set the best time this morning and it didn't go as planned, I was struggling a bit," said the 23-year-old. "Strange, because I slept well, I felt fine this morning, but that's swimming – sometimes you dive in and you don't feel good." Japan's Tomoyuki Matsushita set the fastest time in 4:10.39, almost three seconds quicker than Marchand. Marchand is swimming a lighter programme than usual in Singapore, competing only in the individual medley and relay events. His heat on Sunday morning was only his fifth swim of the championships. "It worries me, but I have a lane tonight so in the end it's OK," said the Frenchman. Summer McIntosh was fastest in the women's 400m individual medley heats, the morning after her epic battle with American great Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle final. McIntosh saw her bid to join Phelps as the only swimmers to win five individual golds at a single world championships end after finishing third behind Ledecky and Australia's Lani Pallister. McIntosh said she "got all of my thoughts and emotions out last night", before coming through the 400m individual medley heats in 4:35.56. "I'm really just focusing on the 400 IM and putting a good time down and touching the wall first," said the 18-year-old Canadian, who has already won three golds in Singapore. "There's more reflection that I can do from what happened last night in the 800 but I think that's reflection that will be happening at the start of next season." Chinese 12-year-old Yu Zidi also qualified for the final in a third-fastest time of 4:36.49, less than a second behind McIntosh. Yu won her heat and will be appearing in her third individual final in Singapore. She finished fourth in both the 200m individual medley and 200m butterfly and picked up a bronze medal as a member of China's 4x200m women's freestyle relay team.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
Leon Marchand aims for second gold amid struggles at swimming worlds
LEON Marchand conceded he was 'struggling' on the final day of the World Aquatics Championships after securing a spot in the 400m individual medley final with an unusually slow performance. The French star, who shattered the world record in the 200m medley earlier this week, clocked 4:13.19 in the heats, placing seventh. Marchand, who broke Michael Phelps' 400m medley world record in 2023, admitted his sluggish time concerned him ahead of Sunday's final. 'I would have preferred to set the best time this morning, but it didn't go as planned,' said the 23-year-old. 'It's strange because I slept well and felt fine, but sometimes you dive in and just don't feel good.' Japan's Tomoyuki Matsushita led the heats with 4:10.39, nearly three seconds faster than Marchand. The Frenchman, swimming a reduced schedule in Singapore, has only raced five times so far. 'It worries me, but I have a lane tonight, so in the end, it's OK,' he said. Meanwhile, Canada's Summer McIntosh topped the women's 400m medley heats (4:35.56) after her thrilling 800m freestyle duel with Katie Ledecky. McIntosh, who missed a fifth gold, said, 'I got all my emotions out last night. Now, I'm just focusing on the 400 IM.' China's 12-year-old prodigy Yu Zidi continued her breakout performance, qualifying third-fastest (4:36.49). Already a relay bronze medallist, Yu will compete in her third individual final. – AFP
