PARIS: LFP, the governing body of football in France, has made a strong pitch for Indian investment in football in the country in leagues such as the Ligue 1 on the lines of what Chinese firms have done.
The development comes days after Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain expressed a strong interest in investing in the Indian market.
While advising India to follow the Chinese and American way of taking club ownership as serious investment in France through consortiums, LFP CEO Didier Quillot stated in an interaction with Indian media in the French capital on Friday that he believes that it is a win-win situation as France can provide expertise in developing young footballers in India through their own grassroots development model.
“When you come to France to invest in clubs, there’s a strong potential for economic growth and value. French clubs are still looking for new shareholders and we are welcoming investors from India. India is our top priority along with China and USA, because they are the three biggest countries in the world.
“In terms of the quality of players, France is the world champion since 2018 and, I think, France is the best country in the world in producing youth talent.
“We (France) can bring to India expertise for academies, for managing the football [talent in the country] and bring some players through the system,” Quillot was quoted by The Hindu as having told the Indian media contingent.
BKT Tires is the first Indian company to show interest in French football as it was named the title sponsor last year for the Coupe de la Ligue, France’s equivalent of the FA Cup.
Quillot opines that as a brand, the Ligue 1 is competitive but behind their European counterparts due to the lack of silverware in continental events such as the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
The player transfers may help Ligue 1 clubs profit individually, but collectively the lustre of the league falls.
“In terms of results, we still need to perform better in the Champions League. “PSG was beaten by Manchester United weeks ago and we (Ligue 1) are not the No. 1 league in Europe, that’s clear. Our European clubs – meaning, Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, AS Monaco, Marseille, Saint-Etienne, OGC Nice – need to perform better to increase the brand awareness of Ligue 1 outside of France.
“The effect of that [players developed in France leaving for overseas clubs] is because of the economic model of France, which is not strong compared to England and Spain, the players are starting their careers in France and after, leaving for Spain or England,” the daily further quoted Quillot as having said.
