"Shocking situation": Attacked in the TV rights crisis, PSG does not want to be "the scapegoat of French football" and denounces "the incompetence" of some
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is defending itself against criticism related to the ongoing TV rights crisis in French football, asserting it will not serve as a scapegoat while calling out incompetence within the league.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has recently come under fire due to the ongoing crisis regarding television rights in French football, particularly following the acquisition of the 2026 World Cup rights by beIN Sports, which has significant implications for Ligue 1's media landscape. The club's director general, Victoriano Melero, defended PSG's position at a recent Ligue de Football Professionnelle (LFP) executive board meeting, where PSG asserted that it should not be blamed for the wider problems facing the French football league. Furthermore, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, president of PSG and beIN Media Group, faces mounting criticism, with internal conflicts becoming evident within the LFP.
The turmoil intensified after Nicolas de Tavernost, who held leadership at LFP Médias, hinted at possibly resigning following the fallout from the TV rights negotiations. His critique pointed to a "conflict of interest within the League" and expressed frustration that factions within French football are not cooperating harmoniously. This situation reflects deeper systemic issues in how French football manages its media rights, which may risk alienating key stakeholders such as PSG, a club that has major financial and political influence in the sport.
As the landscape around media rights continues evolving, the tensions produced by such public disputes could have significant ramifications for French football, particularly as clubs navigate the financial realities of broadcasting revenues. If PSG's assertions regarding internal incompetence resonate with the public and other league stakeholders, it may prompt a reevaluation of governance and strategic direction in the Ligue 1 framework, potentially altering power dynamics within French football.