The State as the ultimate defender. Invoking a question of “Survival”, French football urges the government to come to its aid more actively than it has done so far. The Professional Football League (LFP) and its clubs call on the public authorities to establish“An emergency plan” for a sector weakened by the Covid-19 – the in camera reducing to nothing the revenue on match days – and in shock after the fiasco Mediapro, its ephemeral broadcaster, unable to honor the sums promised to the championship.
As part of a videoconference meeting, on February 16, with the Minister of Education and Sports, Jean-Michel Blanquer, the Minister for Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, and Alain Griset, Minister responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises , four Ligue 1 presidents set out their demands: in particular that of benefiting from the solidarity fund, to which the affected areas of culture or tourism already have access.
“The State is present by definition”
This call to the welfare state “Reminds me of big companies that say to the state: ‘Don’t interfere in our management, we are big companies, leave us alone.’ And when they are in difficulty, they turn to the State and say: “We need public resources” ”, sighs Marie-George Buffet, former Minister of Youth and Sports (1997-2002), now deputy (PCF) of Seine-Saint-Denis, still involved in sports issues.
Between the state and football, the one-two starts from afar. “In France, the State gives delegation to the federations to organize a sport, recalls Paul Dietschy, professor of history at the University of Franche-Comté, football specialist. So it is present by definition – like the municipalities that make their equipment available. “
The public authorities have already had the opportunity to look into “Certain difficulties” of hexagonal football. This expression appeared, in 1973, in a report written by a young auditor at the Court of Auditors, Philippe Séguin, who had received a mission from the Secretary of State for Sports to reflect on the “ viability of professionalism ” and improved club management. “He had proposed some tax measures and advised to bet on training, which was done successfully”, Mr. Dietschy develops.
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