LFP: "Can France afford to have 20 clubs in Ligue 1? I don't think so" (Frédéric Thiriez)

"Can France afford to have 20 clubs in Ligue 1? I don't think so, but that is only my opinion! Clubs would have to agree. In 2004, I proposed a return to 18 clubs but I was not backed, by a very small majority," said Frédéric Thiriez, president of the LFP (French Professional Football League), following the league's end-of-season meeting on the 03/07/2013.

"The format of our leagues, the number of promotions and relegations are difficult issues, but we must confront them without any taboos," the president of the league told the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs' presidents during the meeting, held at the FFF's (French Football Federation) headquarters in Paris.

Ligue 1 adopted an 18 team format between 1997 and 2002.

• THE NUMBER OF RELEGATIONS AND PROMOTIONS

"Three is a lot. Is two the right amount ? Should we have play-offs? These issues are all connected. Anyway, in all countries where there are play-offs, the success is incredible!

• THE ECONOMIC CONTEXT

In 2004, I proposed to return to 18 clubs but I was not backed, by a very small majority. But the economic climate is completely…