The long-running feud between the French football league (LFP) and former broadcaster Canal+ shows no sign of resolution. In an interview with L'Equipe, Maxime Saada, chairman of the Canal+ group, expressed conditional willingness to distribute Ligue 1+, the league's new dedicated platform set to broadcast every Ligue 1 match from the 2026-2027 season. But his conditions have been swiftly dismissed by LFP Media's director-general, Nicolas de Tavernost, effectively shutting the door on a potential deal.
Saada stated that Canal+ remains "always in favor of distributing Ligue 1+," but only on its own terms. Crucially, the broadcaster would not withdraw its ongoing legal proceedings against the LFP, which demand up to €660 million in damages. Nor would it include Ligue 1+ in its premium "sports pack" that features the Champions League, Top 14 rugby, Formula 1, beIN Sports, and Eurosport. These conditions, Saada argued, should be acceptable for a partnership.
De Tavernost countered that these terms effectively close the discussion. "We are delighted that Canal+ is rediscovering Ligue 1, but an agreement must be acceptable," he said. He laid out two non-negotiable conditions: First, Canal+ must drop all its legal claims. "There have been eight procedures from Canal+—a veritable judicial harassment. And despite a clear ruling against them, Canal+ has appealed to the Court of Cassation. If Canal+ renounces these procedures, that will be a positive step." Second, he denied that LFP was in any legal dispute with Free, as Saada had suggested.
The backdrop to this impasse is a bitter, years-long conflict. Canal+ was the historic broadcaster of Ligue 1 until it lost rights in 2020, leading to a series of court battles. The LFP's decision to create its own platform, Ligue 1+, is seen as a bid for independence from traditional broadcasters, but it also carries financial risks. Without a major distribution partner, the league may struggle to maximize revenue from the 2026-2027 rights cycle, especially with rising production costs.
For clubs, the stalemate creates uncertainty. Many Ligue 1 sides rely heavily on broadcast income to balance budgets. A strong distribution deal for Ligue 1+ is vital to sustain competitiveness, particularly as French clubs lag behind their English, Spanish, and Italian counterparts in revenue. The dispute also threatens the league's ability to attract global audiences, given Canal+’s extensive subscriber base.
From Canal+’s perspective, the conditions are a matter of business strategy. Integrating Ligue 1+ into the sports pack would give it premium placement but also commit the channel to promoting a product it has been fighting in court. By keeping the platform separate, Canal+ can avoid endorsing the LFP's model while still offering the service to subscribers who want it—perhaps at an additional cost. However, this approach may limit the reach of Ligue 1+.
The legal dimension adds another layer. The €660 million claim stems from Canal+'s loss of rights and alleged mismanagement by the LFP. A court earlier rejected Canal+'s demands, but the appeal keeps pressure on the league. De Tavernost insists that any new agreement must be free of litigation: "There can be no partnership while legal proceedings continue. That is a principle."
Analysts suggest that without a resolution, the LFP may need to seek other distributors, such as Amazon or DAZN, both of which have shown interest in French football. The league's ambition to control its own broadcasting destiny via Ligue 1+ could be compromised if no major player carries the platform. Meanwhile, Canal+ continues to expand its sports portfolio, securing Champions League rights until 2027, making it less reliant on domestic league content.
The standoff mirrors broader tensions in European football broadcasting, where leagues are increasingly launching direct-to-consumer services but still need partnerships to maximize exposure. For now, the LFP and Canal+ remain entrenched, with little common ground. As De Tavernost summed up, "This is not opening a discussion; it is closing it."
The outcome will have profound implications for French football's financial future. If an agreement cannot be reached, the LFP must decide whether to go it alone with Ligue 1+ or seek a new broadcast partner entirely. The clock is ticking toward the 2026-27 season, and the stakes could not be higher.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.