A proposal that could delight many football fans is currently being examined. After several delays, the National Assembly reviewed this Monday a bill aimed at reforming French football. Among the debated amendments is the obligation to broadcast one Ligue 1 match for free every week on television.

This provision is under public session scrutiny this Monday. Lawmakers behind the amendment argue that “the multiplication of broadcasters for various sports competitions, and thus the increase in paid subscriptions, strongly distances viewers from sporting events and encourages the development of piracy.”

A controversial measure

The proposal, however, faces strong opposition from professional leagues and several sports stakeholders. In a joint statement published on June 25, they argue that such a measure “would mechanically reduce the value of rights, at a time when French sport needs to diversify its resources and strengthen its financing.” Additionally, 22 presidents of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs have denounced a scheme that “is not neutral.”

The text is far from being definitively adopted. It may be modified after debates in the National Assembly, before being examined in a joint committee on July 21. Beyond the issue of free broadcasting, the bill also addresses piracy combating, strengthening the role of federations and the Ministry of Sports in the governance of professional leagues, redistribution of audiovisual revenues, and capping of executive compensation.