Vincent Labrune was probably hoping for something else for his start of his mandate at the head of the Professional Football League (LFP). His first statements after Mediapro’s request for a delay in payment for the TV rights gives little cause for optimism.
“I am surprised about the form and worried about the substance, explains Vincent Labrune in an interview with L’Equipe, the day after the request made by Jaume Roures, the boss of the holder of the TV rights of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 , to renegotiate downward the contract binding it to the LFP. […] At the very least, we will say that this taints the relationship of trust! And fundamentally, this raises questions about the overall Mediapro project in France and the capacity of this group to meet its contractual and financial obligations vis-à-vis the LFP and French football. “
A loan that should be around 170 million euros
The former president of OM does not hide his fears in the face of a situation that could jeopardize French football: “If I were not worried about the finances of our clubs, I would be irresponsible. […]. We are working hard, with the LFP teams, to be able to pay the amounts budgeted by our clubs on the due date. “
To ensure the payment to the clubs of the 172 million euros initially due Mediapro on October 5, the LFP wishes to take out a loan. Information disclosed by L’Equipe that we are able to confirm. The amount of the operation is not known, but the League should try to get as close as possible to the amount that the Spanish group must pay to give itself some air. The slate of the institution that manages Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will therefore grow heavier, after a state guaranteed loan of 224.5 million euros taken out at the end of the season and was supposed to be largely financed part by the income generated by TV rights … which no longer return.
