The COVID-19 pandemic is having a sizeable impact on Ligue 1’s broadcast partners, as MediaPro defaults on its first payment instalment.

While MediaPro is hoping to secure a 25% reduction in its agreement with the LFP, Ligue 1 is unlikely to support any short-term renegotiation as it attempts to secure its financial outlook with the ongoing pandemic and government-imposed crowd limitations. The LFP has already secured government loans worth up to €224.5m ($265m) to compensate clubs for the loss in broadcast income for 2019/20, and is hoping to secure a further €100m ($118m) to cover the continuing losses in ticketing and hospitality

Jaume Roures, CEO of MediaPro has now confirmed his company will not make its second payment, and that it is looking to reduce its contribution.

“We have asked to speak about our contract this season because of Covid-19,” said Roures to L’Équipe. “It is obvious that Covid is affecting a lot of aspects of our being able to exploit our rights. We want to talk about that.”

He added: “We want to renegotiate the contract for this season. It has been very affected by Covid-19, everyone knows because everyone is suffering through it. We are not questioning the project as it is. But the bars and restaurants are closed, advertising is down – these are things that everyone knows.”

“The contract was established in conditions that are completely different to the current situation,” he added. “That is obvious. We need to speak about it. Aside from that, we will see how it ends up. We are not putting into question the contract, but we are putting into question the current situation.”