The Nanterre Commercial Court has authorised Canal+ to suspend the sub-licence contract with beIN Sports for the broadcasting of two Ligue1 matches per round of the competition.
However, reports Les Echos, this is only the first round in the legal dispute between the parties and beIN and Professional Football League (LFP) are ready to fight back.
It adds that beIN sued its partner Canal+ in order to force it to respect the contract for the two Ligue1 matches, worth €332 million a year. Canal+ announced its intention to withdraw from the contract following the allocation of rights by the LFP last month of 80% of matches to Amazon Prime.
During these proceedings, Canal+ argued that its contract with beIN required the latter to take the LFP to court to find the “lapsing” of the contract with the LFP relating to ‘Lot 3’ and to request the termination or revision of this contract. BeIN therefore failed to meet its contractual obligations, according to Canal+. Indeed, Canal + is not directly in contractual relationship with the LFP and cannot act directly. In its ruling, the Nanterre Commercial Court said that by refusing to take legal action requested by Canal+ beIN has not fulfilled an essential obligation of the contract.
Following the ruling, beIN announced it would take legal action against the LFP, which from next week will go through the French justice system, Competition Authority and European Commission. Meanwhile, it is understood that the LFP is preparing to take legal action against beIN at some stage this week.
