Africa: CAF prematurely ends its agreement with Lagardère which contests the "unlawful" decision

"Lagardère contests the CAF's unilateral decision to cancel its agency agreement with Lagardère Sports. At a meeting held today, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) informed Lagardère Sports of its unilateral decision to cancel the agency agreement binding the two companies to 2028. The cancellation is to take effect immediately," said Lagardère Sports & Entertainment on 05/11/2019.

Lagardère had extended its agreement for the exclusive management of media and marketing rights for the main competitions organised by the Confederation of African Football for 12 seasons (2017-2028), for a minimum guaranteed amount of $1bn (€945m as of 06/01/2017) over the period, on 12/06/2015. The agency has been linked to CAF since 1993.

"Lagardère strongly contests this decision, which, in its view, is unlawful, unreasonable and unjustified. Lagardère maintains that there is no reason - including the ongoing investigation by the COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Competition Commission (CCC), which has yet to issue its decision - to cancel he agreement at this stage,…