French football is bracing for a financial crisis after the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) sold domestic broadcasting rights to DAZN and beIN Sports for just €500 million, a figure well short of the €900 million to €1 billion target set by President Vincent Labrune.

According to L’Équipe, Ligue 1 clubs will see their TV revenues slashed by around 60% compared to last season.

On average, clubs are preparing for major cutbacks, while French fans face subscription costs of up to €45 per month to watch domestic football, the most expensive in Europe.

The financial gap is stark. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who earned around €60m in TV revenue last season, stand to collect just €22m if they win a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title.

Across the divisions, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs will split only €228m, while league costs have ballooned from €156m last year to €272m.

The fallout is already evident internationally, with RMC Sport reporting that Ligue 1’s opening weekend fixtures will not be broadcast in England, Spain or Italy as the LFP scrambles to secure overseas rights deals.