LFP TV rights: Canal+ pays first instalment to beIN and broadcasts 2 games on Matchday 1 of Ligue 1

Canal+ has paid the first instalment of €68m (including VAT) to beIN Sports in relation to its sub-licensing contract for Lot 3 of the 2020-2024 Ligue 1 Uber Eats rights, according to the French sports daily L'Equipe on 06/08/2021, a sum which was then transferred to the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).

Canal+ is thus complying with its contractual obligations (payment, broadcasting and production of matches) following the Court of Nanterre's decision in summary proceedings, which stipulated that Canal+ could not terminate its sub-licensing agreement with beIN Sports for Lot 3, worth €332m per year, on 05/08/2021.

In case of a default in payment, Canal+ had to pay a penalty of "€1m per day of delay from 06/08, up to a maximum of 90 days" according to the decision issued on 05/08/2021. The French pay-TV group, which wanted to terminate its sub-licensing agreement with beIN Sports for Lot 3, will appeal this decision (see below) even if the appeal is non-suspensive.

In addition, Canal+, beIN Sports and Free are still considering legal action as they consider that the price at…