Paris Saint-Germain could win their first trophy of the season when they face AS Monaco in the French Champions Trophy, which will take place in Doha this Sunday. Holding this meeting in Qatar illustrates the growing influence of the Gulf State on Football in France.
This clash constitutes the traditional opening match of the French season. While Spain and Italy have developed their Supercups into four-team competitions, organized in Saudi Arabia, France has, for its part, regularly relocated the Champions Trophy abroad in recent years, since the 2009 edition was held in Montreal, Canada.
Initially, this season, the match was scheduled to take place in Beijing on August 8 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China.
However, Chinese authorities ultimately canceled the match, just as had happened the previous year when the match was scheduled to take place in Thailand.
Although the previous edition was able to be held in Paris in January, where PSG triumphed against Toulouse, it was Qatar which took over this time.
The Ivory Coast was also a destination considered, and it is likely that a large influx of passionate supporters would have been present if the match had taken place in the French-speaking West African country, passionate about football.
Qatar, however, came up with an offer that convinced the Professional Football League (LFP) — in financial difficulty after having to accept a significantly lower offer for its domestic television rights last year — to choose the Gulf.
“Several proposals were made, and the Doha solution was the most appropriate given the date, both for the LFP and for the two participating teams,” the French League told AFP.
Thus, the match – sponsored by the Qatari tourism authority – will be played at Stadium 974 in Doha, one of the stadiums used during the 2022 World Cup.
– ‘Like a home game’ –
Qatar’s influence on French football dates back to the acquisition of PSG by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011.
At the time, PSG was a large, struggling entity, but under the leadership of QSI and its Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi, the club was transformed into a dominant force in French football, crushing all its rivals thanks to its financial power.
The club are on course to win an 11th Ligue 1 title in the last 13 seasons, while victory on Sunday would see them claim the Champions Trophy for the 11th time in 12 years.
Khelaifi also sits on the board of directors of the LFP and is the president of beIN Media Group, one of the broadcasters of Ligue 1 in France.
This meeting traditionally pits the French champion against the winner of the Coupe de France, but PSG having won both trophies last season, it was AS Monaco, vice-champion of Ligue 1, who was chosen to challenge them. .
PSG already beat Monaco 4-2 in their last Ligue 1 match, just before the extended mid-season break, and they start favorites for this new duel, especially given the context.
“It’s like a home game for us,” admitted PSG coach Luis Enrique during a press conference during the team’s flight to Doha on a Qatar Airways plane.
The club has even put in place incentives to encourage supporters to make the trip, despite the six-hour flight that separates Paris from Doha.
A package including a return flight, hotel accommodation and a ticket to the match was offered at 100 euros ($103) for several hundred fans.
However, the club’s ultras, the most fervent supporters, declined this offer for a match where Monaco will try to win their first trophy since their Ligue 1 title in 2017.
– PSG and Monaco will face off for the Champions Trophy in Doha, highlighting the rise of Qatar in French football.
– The match initially planned in Beijing was canceled, just like the previous year in Thailand.
– Ivory Coast was a candidate to host, but Qatar made an attractive offer to the LFP.
– Nasser al-Khelaifi, president of PSG, enjoys notable influence within the LFP.
– The PSG ultras chose not to make the trip despite the club’s incentive offers.
This match raises questions about the place of European football in the global context, particularly the role of foreign investment in clubs and leagues. As the Champions Trophy moves to Qatar, it would be interesting to debate the implications this may have on the identity of French football and its public. What does the average fan think about financial and sporting issues becoming more and more intertwined?
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