France: Preliminary Investigation into Ligue 1 Broadcasting Rights and Potential Conflicts of Interest
By Dr Estelle Ivanova, Attorney at Law, Paris, France
It has been reported, on 20 September 2026, that the Paris Prosecutor’s Office has opened a preliminary investigation concerning Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the President of Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG), relating to Ligue 1 broadcasting rights.
The investigation was opened in April 2026 following a referral by Anticor, a French anti-corruption association, and was entrusted to the anti-corruption and financial police.
It relates to Al-Khelaifi’s roles as President of PSG and Chairman of beIN Media Group and to a meeting with representatives of the French Professional Football League (LFP) in July 2024 concerning broadcasting rights.
His legal counsel has rejected the allegations, maintaining that they are unfounded, both legally and factually, and that Al-Khelaifi has always acted independently, impartially and objectively.
The investigation is at a preliminary stage, and that its opening does not constitute a finding that the allegations are established or that any offence has been committed. If the allegations are upheld in criminal proceedings, Al-Khelaifi may face a fine and/or imprisonment.
Against this background, the publicly available minutes of the LFP Board of Directors meeting of 14 July 2024 provide further factual context concerning the decision-making process. They record that the Ligue 1 College proposed accepting DAZN’s offer following negotiations in London with a group of club presidents, subject notably to strengthened financial guarantees and a two-year exit clause. The minutes further state that beIN Sports subsequently submitted a last-minute offer covering the remaining ninth match.
According to the minutes, the Ligue 1 College decided, by 16 votes to 2, in favour of the DAZN/beIN proposal. The Board subsequently mandated the President of the LFP and the LFP Media teams to pursue exclusive negotiations with DAZN and beIN Sports with a view to finalising an agreement for the Ligue 1 audiovisual rights, with the nature of the DAZN financial guarantee and the terms of the two-year exit clause identified as two determining points.
The minutes also record an intervention by Al-Khelaifi in which he referred to his wish for unity within French football and expressed the view that the difficulties facing the clubs should be addressed collectively.
The broadcasting arrangements were subsequently concluded with DAZN and beIN Sports, with beIN Sports acquiring the right to broadcast one Ligue 1 match per week.
Beyond the circumstances of the present case, the matter reflects the wider importance of conflict-of-interest safeguards in the governance and commercialisation of professional sport.
As relationships between sports organisations, broadcasters, investors and other commercial stakeholders continue to develop, appropriate procedures for disclosure, recusal and decision-making are becoming an increasingly important aspect of effective sports governance.
Such considerations are particularly relevant in the context of broadcasting rights, which represent a significant source of revenue for professional football clubs in France and elsewhere, especially the English Premier League, where the latest domestic live broadcasting rights are worth a record £3 billion (around €3.5 billion)!
Clear arrangements for identifying, disclosing and managing actual or potential conflicts of interest, therefore, are an important part of sound governance and transparent decision-making by sports organisations in the broadcasting field.
Dr Estelle Ivanova may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
