May 22 – Next season, France’s Ligue 2 will be expanded from 20 to 22 club following a vote by the French Football League (LFP). The decision still requires approval from the French FA (FFF).
In the LFP’s general assembly, 57% of clubs favoured the restructuring of Ligue 2. Bottom two clubs Orleans and Le Mans will be saved from relegation while third division sides Pau and Dunkerque would gain promotion from the National, France’s third tier.
In the top flight, relegation and promotion were maintained and so the French FA may not approve the LFP’s proposal after football boss Noel Le Graet expressed his preference to maintain promotion and relegation across the entire French pyramid.
In March, French football came to a standstill as the coronavirus spread across Europe. Last month, French authorities ruled that football couldn’t return until September, not even behind closed doors.
As a result, Paris Saint-Germain were crowned champions for the third year in a row, with ten match days left. Amiens, relegated, have however launched legal action in a bid to overturn the decision.
French sports daily L’Equipe also reported that the LFP intends to grant an additional €25 million in broadcast rights income to Ligue 2 clubs as part of a funding plan to mitigate the financial fallout of the coronavirus shutdown. The LFP will also take out a state loan of €224.5 million to compensate for the broadcasts rights monies that both Canal+ and beIN Sports withheld after it became clear that the season was not going to be completed.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734962209labto1734962209ofdlr1734962209owedi1734962209sni@o1734962209fni1734962209