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French Ligue 1

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Beckham's celebrity appeal

Submitted by WG on Fri, 17/05/2013 - 08:44

Whether David Beckham was a good or a great footballer has been debated on Radio 5 this morning, but he was certainly the greatest footballing celebrity of his generation. Having played at two of the greatest clubs in the world, Manchester United and Real Madrid, he then went to the ultimate celebrity destination, Los Angeles, and topped it off with a stay in the home of cosmopolitan chic, Paris.

Hollande scores own goal

Submitted by WG on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 10:36

France's President Hollande has decided to boost his dismal poll ratings by targeting French football clubs for extra tax payments. He might be better off considering whether allowing the French government to spend 57 per cent of GDP is a good idea when Germany manages to sustain its social model on 45 per cent.

Would Uefa's FFP rules stand up in court?

Submitted by WG on Mon, 01/04/2013 - 09:16

We have consistently taken the view that Uefa's financial fair play (FFP) rules are open to challenge in court.    It is therefore interesting to see Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who was part of the team who won the Bosman case in 1995, arguing a similar case in the Wall Street Journal.

PSG spend big and have small losses

Submitted by WG on Mon, 11/03/2013 - 19:44

Since the Qatar Investment Authority became Paris Saint-Germain's majority shareholder money has been no object in building up the club as one of the leading sides in Europe. £92m was spent in the first year of ownership and £128m this season.

It is therefore surprising that PSG made a loss of only £4.8m in the 2011-12 season which puts it on the right side of Uefa's financial fair play rules. Media rights, commercial income and match day revenue add up to just £84.5m, well short of spending.

PSG flex their financial muscles

Submitted by WG on Wed, 27/02/2013 - 09:25

Paris Saint-German, owned by the multi-billion pound Qatar Investment Authority, are contemplating making a bid for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

If they made a bid of £40m, as has been suggested, it would have to be considered seriously at Old Trafford.   At £250,000 a week, he is United's most expensive player.  Undoubtedly skilled and talented, he is 28, has a constant battle with his weight and has had injury and illness problems.  Whether he would adapt to Paris as well as the cosmopolitan David Beckham is an interesting question.

Sponsorship deal stores up problems for PSG

Submitted by WG on Mon, 04/02/2013 - 16:29

Last week Paris Saint-Germain not only signed David Beckham, but also concluded a five year sponsorship deal with Emirates worth £108m.   Given that their previous sponsorship deal was around £3.5m a season, it's a big leap forward, although it has to be set against a net spend of £208m over the previous four transfer windows.   It may also be storing up trouble for the future.

PSG splash the cash

Submitted by WG on Thu, 01/11/2012 - 13:51

Supplied with a series of blank cheques by the Qatar Investment Authority, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continue to splash the cash.   According to Gazetto dello Sport, they are ready to spend about €100m to bring Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.  José Mourinho would be brought in as head coach at the same time.

Shirt sponsorship challenge for Uefa

Submitted by WG on Fri, 05/10/2012 - 08:42

This article has been written by Simon Hines of Sponsorship Today:


In the season 2011/12 the average shirt deal in France's Ligue 1 was estimated at €1.5m per season with Betclic topping the league at €5.5m with its Olympic Marseille sponsorship. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was reportedly earning €4.9m from Emirates whereas OGC Nice had no shirt sponsor. If news reports are to be believed, a Qatari bank is close to finalising a deal worth €100m per year for shirt and stadium naming rights to PSG.

PSG splash out on Ancelotti

Submitted by WG on Sat, 31/12/2011 - 09:50

France has been the poor cousin of the top five European nations in league terms but that all is changing with Qatari ownership of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).   They have splashed out on the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, the former manager of Chelsea and AC Milan, as coach.  He is reported to be receiving an unprecedented salary for French football of €6m-€7m a year.

France divided over Becks

Submitted by WG on Sat, 24/12/2011 - 08:47

It is still uncertain whether David Beckham will accept a reported €800,000 a month contract at Paris St Germain (PSG).   He could opt to stay at LA Galaxy.   But the prospect of his arrival has already divided French politicians,