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French Women’s Football League Undergoes Professional Transformation
A significant shift occurred in French women’s football last summer with the professionalization of the top two divisions. The newly established Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel (LFFP), spearheaded by former Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, now governs these leagues. This restructuring marks a new era for French women’s football, aiming to elevate the sport’s competitiveness and appeal.
Elevating Standards and Competition
The reforms target enhanced competitiveness in a league previously dominated by Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Key changes include a rebranding of the top tiers and a substantial budget increase extending into eight figures. Mandatory criteria necessitate each top division club to maintain a minimum of 11 full-time players, while second division teams must contract at least 11 part-time players. Furthermore, teams can now include a fourth non-EU player in their squads. Organizers have also studied other successful leagues, incorporating best practices such as designated rest periods for Champions League participants and engaging supporters in decisions regarding optimal match kick-off times.
Early Observations: Familiar Dominance Persists
The primary objective of these reforms is to raise standards and foster a more fiercely contested league. However, with only a few matches remaining, Lyon and PSG once again appear to be the frontrunners. Despite the structural changes, the familiar pattern of dominance at the top of French women’s football seems to be continuing.
Beneath the Surface: Optimism and Progress
Despite the continued dominance at the summit, the professionalization efforts are broadly welcomed, even by clubs potentially facing challenges in the reshaped landscape. Teams like Dijon, currently positioned fourth and on the verge of playoff qualification, and Fleury 91, just behind in fifth, represent this sentiment. Fleury 91 notably eliminated Lyon from the domestic cup last season, reaching a historic final. These clubs, with men’s teams in lower tiers, are achieving considerable success, outperforming more traditionally prominent clubs, and embrace the increased professional standards.
Club Perspectives: Dijon and Fleury 91
Dijon’s Perspective
Sylvain Carric, overseeing Dijon’s women’s football operations, highlights the enhanced communication under the LFFP compared to the previous French Football Federation (FFF) structure. “The communication with the LFFP has been excellent, a stark contrast to our prior experiences with the FFF,” Carric stated. “We now receive support in marketing strategies and have negotiated contracts for performance and medical resources with companies like Catapult and MyCoach, providing greater player support.”
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Fleury 91’s Perspective
While Carric emphasizes financial independence as a key long-term goal, Pascal Bovis, president of Fleury 91, indicates the transition has been more demanding for his club. This challenge was compounded by the departure of their head coach, Fabrice Abriel, and key players to PSG after professionalization was implemented.
Infrastructure and Long-Term Vision
Bovis notes the elevated infrastructure requirements for clubs in the professional era. “A higher level of standard is now expected regarding infrastructure,” Bovis explained. “This encompasses pitch and floodlight quality, organizational structure, medical facilities, staffing, coaching qualifications, and media and communications operations. However, this transformation is underway and crucial for the future. The professional league is expected to generate revenue that will directly benefit participating clubs, bolstering the overall financial health of women’s football in France.”
Competitive Balance and Future Prospects
Despite Lyon and PSG’s financial advantages, Bovis emphasizes recent match results as evidence of ongoing competitiveness across the league. He views the top clubs as a “driving force” for improvement. “While Lyon and PSG possess substantial budgets, Paris FC, now backed by Louis Vuitton, is also emerging as a strong competitor,” Bovis added.
Highlighting Fleury’s performances against PSG, Bovis pointed out, “Fleury has only suffered narrow 2-1 defeats in Paris [against PSG] for the past three seasons and secured three draws at home, including a memorable 4-4 draw three years prior. This demonstrates a narrowing sporting gap despite significant budgetary disparities.”
Dijon’s Progress Fueled by Professional Structure
Dijon’s established professional framework has facilitated a notable rise from eighth to fourth position this season. Carric detailed their professional setup: “We have 19 professional players, supported by six technical staff and three medical personnel.” In contrast, Fleury 91 faces the ongoing task of meeting the new professional criteria. Bovis acknowledges, “We lack the established professional infrastructure enjoyed by women’s teams affiliated with professional men’s clubs. This is a disadvantage we are actively working to overcome. However, our staff quality is comparable, if not superior in some areas, including a former France Under-23 coach and a strong medical team.”
Embracing the Rise of New Challengers
Regarding the emergence of potentially stronger clubs, such as newly promoted Nantes and the prospect of others like Marseille and Lens joining the top division, Bovis remains optimistic. “This will only enhance the league’s appeal,” he stated. “Our focus is on strategic recruitment, preserving our club’s identity, and maintaining high performance despite our unique circumstances. Ultimately, this dynamic landscape embodies the very essence of football and why we are so passionate about the sport.”
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