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🇫🇷 France /Elections & Politics

French Assembly adopts sports reform law

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Approved/passed
  • French lawmakers adopted a proposed law to reform professional sports governance, aiming to address recent issues, particularly in football.
  • The legislation includes measures on the power balance between federations and leagues, a ban on club multi-ownership, and anti-piracy efforts.
  • While some club presidents welcome the reform, others caution that further improvements are needed in the parliamentary process.

French lawmakers have passed a proposed law aimed at overhauling the governance of professional sports, with a particular focus on addressing perceived "deviations" within French football. The legislation, adopted in its first reading by the National Assembly, tackles issues such as the power dynamics between sports federations and leagues, prohibits the multi-ownership of clubs, and introduces measures against piracy.

I am pleased that French football is stopping looking at its navel and learning from past mistakes. However, let's not claim victory: the final parliamentary stretch must allow for improvements to certain points of the text.

— Joseph OughourlianPresident of RC Lens, commenting on the adopted law.

Many club presidents have called for such reforms, viewing them as a critical juncture for French football. Joseph Oughourlian, president of RC Lens, expressed cautious optimism, stating, "I am pleased that French football is stopping looking at its navel and learning from past mistakes. However, let's not claim victory: the final parliamentary stretch must allow for improvements to certain points of the text." He emphasized the need for continued work to refine the bill.

All professional clubs, regardless of their budget, will finally have their voices heard, that's good news.

— Jean-Michel RoussierPresident of Le Havre, reacting to the reform.

Jean-Michel Roussier, head of Le Havre, welcomed the prospect of all professional clubs having their voices heard, regardless of budget. However, Laurent Lairy, president of Stade Lavallois, cautioned that the "parliamentary match is not over." He urged for continued collaboration and responsibility to benefit French football as a whole. Pierre Ferracci, president of Paris FC, called for unity in building a new governance structure and a "conquering" roadmap for French football, while Shéhérazade Semsar-de Boisséson, chairwoman of OM's supervisory board, expressed hope that the upcoming commission mixte paritaire would produce a coherent and effective law to enhance the competitiveness of French clubs against top European leagues.

The parliamentary match is not over. In added time, the Senate and Assembly teams can and must still improve certain aspects.

— Laurent LairyPresident of Stade Lavallois (Ligue 2), on the ongoing legislative process.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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