the LFP is considering a Final Four like in Spain and Italy

the LFP is considering a Final Four like in Spain and Italy
the LFP is considering a Final Four like in Spain and Italy

The organization of the Champions Trophy between PSG and Monaco (1-0) in Doha on Sunday aroused the general enthusiasm of the two clubs and the LFP which plans to modify the format to make it a Final Four on the model of the Super Cups from Spain and Italy.

The organization of the Champions Trophy between PSG and Monaco (1-0) on Sunday in Doha aroused general enthusiasm. As for the Professional League (LFP), we say we are very satisfied with this success. “Frankly, given the deadlines, it couldn’t have gone better,” says President Vincent Labrune. “In the general and unanimous opinion of the LFP teams who have been working on the Champions Trophy for years, it was the best organization we have ever had. The expertise and know-how acquired by the Qataris during the World Cup are indisputable.”

A reflection on the competition

Despite this, the Champions Trophy has not yet found a sustainable and stabilized model, particularly in terms of date. Uncertainty remains as to the next edition which will pit the 2025 French champion against the winner of the 2025 Coupe de or the second in the ranking. On the other hand, a reflection on the format of the competition exists in the longer term.

The League would like to develop this trophy towards a Final Four with four teams on the model of the Italian or Spanish Super Cups. But such a reform will have to be voted on by the Board of Directors and therefore by the clubs. A subject which, however, does not feature in the priorities of French football leaders.

On the PSG side too, the event was seen as a success, beyond the team's coronation. While this poster had to be canceled a few weeks ago, its holding in Qatar paid off sportingly but also commercially with the opportunity for the club to meet its partners in the country of its owners. Institutionally, the leaders were also able to nourish their good relationship with the Monegasque leadership embodied by Juan Sartori, vice-president of the ASM to whom Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Parisian president, is very close.

“The organization did not make us feel like we were abroad,” welcomes Monaco

For the capital club, it was a pleasant match, without controversy. Everything went as planned, including during the trip, including the press conference organized during the flight. The criticism of playing this trophy abroad, the lack of interest and the empty stadium are far away for the club which wants to continue to promote itself internationally. The event will also bring in money for the League.

The general consensus on the Champions Trophy also affects Monaco, which appreciated the trip and the organization. The Monegasques had fewer activities planned than the PSG players and took the opportunity to work. “The organization and welcome were very good, the pitches were great, they did everything they needed to do, the trip was great,” the club explains. As part of an outing organized by the LFP, Radoslaw Majecki, Wilfried Singo and Christian Mawissa went with Parisian players to Sealine Beach to test local activities. An excursion of one hour outward journey and one hour return, for a 30 minute activity, not the most practical. “But we did what we had to do,” the club remarked.

Addi Hütter, for his part, organized several sessions including certain tactics at Al-Ersaal training out of sight – it was not very cool to open the day before the match for an hour at the stadium but he did not have no choice to exhibit the product – and the club highlights the infrastructure and quality welcome at the hotel as well.

Especially since the event was organized in a few weeks, which can create slight misunderstandings, as when the Monegasque press conference is managed – with difficulty – by a local mediator, while PSG manages it itself. Or that the half-time interviews are a little chaotic… “Nothing serious”, says the ASM, there was a desire to do everything well. The organization did not make us feel like we were abroad.” The club is therefore not resentful even though it initially preferred the candidacy of Ivory Coast rather than that of Qatar. Even if Monaco is not complaining at all of this choice which fully agreed with the three parties.

Loïc Briley, Arthur Perrot and Valentin Jamin

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