"French football is not a self-sustaining ecosystem. Long dead is the dream of a 1bn broadcast rights deal, announced before last season. In the end, clubs earned less than 500m. This season, with the withdrawal of Dazn and the launch of the league's own Ligue 1 Plus, broadcasting rights will total around 270m."
"The only way for French clubs to survive is by selling many more players than we buy, says Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro. The entry of a new client into the market was described as positive by Scuro after Al-Ittihad dug his club out of a hole in the winter."
"Eighteen months ago, the league introduced an extra spot in squads for foreign players, provided they were under the age of 21 when recruited. Saudi clubs honed in on France, where they have found willing sellers and enthusiastic recruits."
The Saudi Pro League expanded its foreign player recruitment strategy by introducing squad spots for players under 21, focusing heavily on France as a talent source. French football faces severe financial challenges, with broadcast rights revenue collapsing from anticipated 1 billion to approximately 270 million this season, forcing clubs to adopt a business model centered on developing and selling players. Premier League clubs pay the highest transfer fees, making French academies increasingly focused on tailoring players for that market. Saudi clubs entering this market provides crucial financial relief for struggling French clubs, enabling them to avoid sacrificing star players and facing UEFA sanctions.
#saudi-pro-league-recruitment #french-football-financial-crisis #young-player-transfers #broadcast-rights-collapse #transfer-market-strategy
Read at www.theguardian.com
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