2016-2020 TV rights: the Paris Court of Appeal dismisses Canal+, the tender is upheld

"Canal+, who appealed the decision of the Judge of the Regional Court of Paris was again rejected this Tuesday, on 01/04/2014, regarding their request to suspend the tender, by the Paris Court of Appeal", announced the LFP (French Professional Football League) on 01/04/2014.

The French pay-TV company appealed the decision of a Paris Court on 28/03/2014, to maintained the tender launched by the LFP to allocate the TV rights for the 2016 to 2020 period for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.

The LFP launched a call for applications for the 2016-2020 TV rights for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 on 06/03/2014, two years before the end of the current cycle (2012-2016). Canal+ filed, on 18/03/2014, an order to suspend the tender, on the grounds that the LFP offer to sell rights more than two years in advance was unfair.

"The process of marketing of broadcasting rights will be able to continue as planned from Wednesday, 02/04/2014 for qualitative offers, and on Friday, 04/04/2014, for financial bids," said the league, on 01/04/2014.

• Canal+ also seized the Competition Authority on 17/03/2014, to challenge the…