Northern clubs face setbacks

French football clubs from the north, including Lens and Lille, recently lost matches, with Lens falling 3-0 to Bruges and Lille losing 4-2 to Galatasaray at home. These results have drawn attention to the increasing strength of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in French football.

PSG's role in rankings

PSG's performance is seen as vital for keeping France ahead of Portugal in the UEFA coefficient rankings. The struggles of other French clubs in both the domestic league and the Champions League have raised concerns about how long they can remain competitive.

Ligue 1's broadcasting challenges

Ligue 1 has been criticized as a league that is not desirable for broadcasters. Clubs that perform well in one season often see their resources taken away in the next by teams from wealthier leagues. This dynamic affects the financial stability of French clubs.

Budget and competitiveness

The financial gap between Racing Club de Lens (100 million euros) and Bruges (around 140 million euros) is not seen as extremely large. However, the repeated poor performance of French clubs in major tournaments has led to doubts about whether Ligue 1 is becoming a second-tier league.

Future broadcasting deal

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) is preparing to sell the league's broadcasting rights for the period 2027-2032, which could bring more money into the league. However, it is uncertain whether this will address the underlying issues facing French football.

PSG's illusion of success

While PSG's dominance creates an illusion that prevents the decline of French football from being fully acknowledged, the end of this illusion could leave the league in a difficult situation. The long-term sustainability of French football remains in question.