This Thursday, the Arnault family, at the head of the LVMH group (owner of “Parisien-Aujourd’hui en France”) through its holding Agache, formalized with a press release its entry “into exclusive negotiations with a view to the acquisition of a majority share of Paris FC”, while confirming the presence of Red Bull in this project. Two hours earlier, the Professional Football League (LFP) had unveiled the new trophy for the French Ligue 1 champion.
Present on this occasion, the major leaders of French football spoke about the new destiny of Paris FC with the imminent arrival of these new shareholders. Everyone was happy and enthusiastic. “This is fantastic news for French football,” celebrated Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF (French Football Federation). It is the alliance of a great brand and a great French family, with also another company that has great experience in football. »
An alliance “that brings a lot of hope for Paris FC and for French professional football but also for all of football because it gives credibility to the projects carried out for many years to develop football and attract investors”, insists Diallo. And when it comes to French investors like the Arnault family, the satisfaction is even greater. » And he adds: “Well done also to Pierre Ferracci because he worked to strengthen himself and give his club the means to take the last step it is missing, namely access to L1. »
“Totally fused” with the LFP approach, according to Labrune
At his side, the boss of professional football also appreciated this arrival. “We are very happy, this is great news for French professional football, for L1 in particular and it is undoubtedly the best news we have had after some difficult months,” says Vincent Labrune, president of the LFP. This is pleasing because it realizes a desire that we have had for two years to be able, through our European performances, to increase our places in the European Cup to attract new investors. »
The investors, who for once are French, say goodbye to Labrune. “In recent months we have attracted important foreign investors. Today the Arnault family, a point of reference in the world of luxury, enters a territory, that of football, where I think there are gigantic bridges to build. This is the marketing project we are developing, it is totally fused with our approach. »
“If we build for the long term in football, we can do great things”
The presidents of the L1 clubs have not shown themselves jealous of Paris FC and its new shareholders who could soon join them in the elite. On the contrary. If Pablo Longoria, president of OM, did not want to speak, Jean-Pierre Rivère, president of OGC Nice, and Laurent Nicollin, director of Montpellier, admitted their satisfaction at seeing the arrival of the Arnault family as shareholders majority of the PFC.
“This is excellent news because we are dealing with people who have demonstrated all their know-how in many other professions. They approach football in a very pragmatic and intelligent way, says Jean-Pierre Rivère. It’s a great idea to keep the president (Pierre Ferracci) and collaborate with Red Bull because these people know football very well. I wish them a warm welcome and much success in this endeavor. These are people who have a long-term view, I suppose. And if we focus on the long term in football, we can do great things. »
Laurent Nicollin agrees. “We won’t give our all, but it’s always better for big French entrepreneurs to take over the clubs,” he insists. There was the Pinault family and now there is also the Arnault family. PFC is working very well at the moment with Pierre Ferracci who I like. I wish they would go to L1. Then football is a question of results and a place on the pitch is earned. »
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