It’s time for recovery… and explanations. After a two-week break due to international football matches, Ligue 2 will resume its rights this Friday with the 14th day of the championship. A competition whose scheduling – most matches are played on Friday – has been a source of much discontent from supporters since the start of the season. The latter did not hesitate to show their anger, as recently with throwing tennis balls onto the courts during matches, or deploying “BeIN is killing Ligue 2” banners.
Questioned this Tuesday by The Team on the programming of Ligue 2 matches, Florent Houzot, the editorial director of BeIN Sports, wanted to be clear. And believes in calming the situation. “The ultras had the impression of having lost an asset (with the broadcast of matches on Friday instead of Saturday, as on Prime Video for three seasons), notes the manager. We are not against them, but we try to make them understand that we must try to amortize our investments by satisfying our subscribers with good programming, complementary to our other football offers. »
Since the start of the season, BeIN Sports, the sole broadcaster of the championship against 40 million euros per season until 2029, has agreed to shift a match from Friday to Saturday. But that will be the only concession. “There will be no further developments this season,” warns Florent Houzot, interviewed during the presentation of his European Rugby Cup system. We have already shown openness with two matches on Saturday, and sometimes even three. And to encourage the organization of supporters, we went from programming three weeks in advance to six weeks. »
“New discussions will take place at the end of the season on the subject,” continued the manager. But look, French rugby has understood very well, with Pro D 2 on Thursday and Friday and the Top 14 on Saturday and Sunday (all broadcast on Canal +). » It remains to be seen how the public will react.
