Source: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
[Saba Sports News] According to French media reports, the French Professional Football League has extended the conciliation period with the streaming platform DAZN until April 10th. Under the supervision of the judicial department, the negotiations between the French Professional Football League (LFP) and its main broadcaster DAZN, originally scheduled to end on March 31st, will now continue until April 10th. As the primary broadcaster of Ligue 1, DAZN’s core demand is to reduce the current contract amount, which is approximately €375 million per season. The mediation was initially planned to end on March 31st after a month of intense discussions, but both parties have decided to extend it until April 10th to seek an acceptable solution. Although DAZN has already paid 50% of the last installment (€35 million) on February 27th, the dispute has not been resolved. DAZN insists on modifying the contract, citing LFP’s inadequate anti-piracy efforts and clubs’ insufficient cooperation in enhancing the Ligue 1 brand value. Currently, DAZN is still suing LFP, claiming €573 million from the Paris Commercial Court, accusing it of “breach of contract” and “trade fraud.” It is reported that DAZN currently has only 500,000 subscribers and has suffered substantial losses since the Ligue 1 broadcasting contract came into effect. This has forced the platform to request a renegotiation of the financial terms of the cooperation agreement signed last summer, valid until 2029.