Ligue 1, and French professional Football as a whole, are indeed in danger of implosion. The DNCG is sounding the alarm.
The situation is serious for French football, and its professional showcases which are Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. This weekend as part of an interview given to L'Equipe, Jean-Marc Mickeler, president of the Management National Management Control (DNCG) launches a final warning which, for lack of attentive listening and reaction, seems to sound the death knell for a proven model.
« The economic model as it existed is dead », insists the boss of the disciplinary body. The miraculous financial windfall from CVC – with the sacrifice that we know for the revenues of the Professional Football League (LFP), ad vitam aeternam – will be limited this season to 136 million euros. And the source will then be dried up. In other words, the bandage on the wooden leg is over.
At the end of the 2023-2024 financial year, the overall deficit reached 250 million euros, with a net loss of 150 million for Ligue 1; 100 million for Ligue 2. The operating loss of French professional clubs amounts to one billion euros, fortunately largely offset by the proceeds from the sale of players, to the tune of 830 million euros.
A disproportionate payroll
The DNCG's observation is simple: 67% of club income is devoted to payroll, when the European average is limited to 53%. “ At the DNCG, we believe in any case that the absolute priority for our clubs between now and next May is to reduce payroll. », Underlines Jean-Marc Mickeler, who estimates that the announced net deficit of 96 million for the 2024-2025 season due to the drop in TV rights to 500 million euros is not the most worrying point.
« The DNCG is concerned. She shares this concern with club managers and shareholders. Money isn't everything. Everyone will have to be convinced of this », concludes the financial policeman. The survival of French football depends on it. Neither more nor less.
