LFP TV rights/beIN-Canal+ dispute: Commercial Court decision expected on 23/07/2021

The decision of the Commercial Court of Nanterre in the case between the pay-TV group beIN Sports France and the pay-TV group Canal+ , for the payment of Lot 3 of the broadcasting rights to the Ligue 1 Uber Eats, is expected on Friday 23/07/2021 at 16:00 CET. The hearing between the parties took place on Tuesday 20/07/2021 and the first instalment (€55m) of the contract for the 2021-22 season (€332m over the year to be paid in six instalments) is due on 05/08/2021.

If Canal+ prevails, beIN Sports is expected to lodge a complaint against the LFP on the basis of the court decision. If Canal+ loses, the group would then have to pay the LFP the scheduled amount but could attempt additional legal action, together with beIN Sports and Free, to obtain a discount on the cost of the rights to the Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT acquired by the three operators.

Canal+ had written to the LFP to notify it of its intention to withdraw from its contract with beIN Sports France, which sub-licensed it two Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches (on Saturdays at 21:00 and Sundays at 17:00 CET), over the…