The news that French broadcaster Canal+ has handed back its media rights to Ligue 1 and called for a fresh bidding process could have major ramifications across Europe.
The company was due to screen two games per week under the terms of a sub-license agreement with beIN Media, but this has now been cancelled.
Canal+ President Maxime Saada told Le Figaro that Ligue 1 ‘has been subsidised for many years’ and that ‘no broadcaster has succeeded in making it profitable’.
Saada also argued that with fixtures involving major clubs like Paris Saint-Germain being more lucrative than other matches, the media rights deal should reflect this.