French football could be in for a massive change as reports claim that authorities are considering introducing play-offs for the Ligue 1 title.
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French FA mulling changes to Ligue 1 formatA final four playoff could be introducedFormat already in place for women's footballFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the French Football Federation (FFF) is evaluating bold reforms aimed at reshaping Ligue 1. Central to the proposed changes is a new play-off system that could determine the league champions through a knockout-style competition – a move that would significantly depart from the traditional points-based format used for decades.
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The FFF is exploring the possibility of introducing a ‘Final Four’ tournament to conclude the Ligue 1 season. This would see the top four teams battle it out for the title in a mini knock-out competition, with the winner crowned national champion.
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The proposed tournament would mirror the current structure used in the top division of women’s football in France. Under that system, the team finishing first in the regular season faces off against the fourth-placed side, while second and third meet in the other semi-final. The victors of each match then clash in a final showdown to decide the champion.
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Paris Saint-Germain’s recent stranglehold on French football has amplified concerns about the lack of competition at the top of the table. The capital club recently clinched their fourth consecutive title, prompting renewed calls to make the division more balanced.
To address this, a reform task force led by Toulouse president Damien Comolli is weighing up a reimagined league format. The hope is that by introducing a play-off element, the race for the title will become less predictable and more compelling for fans and broadcasters alike. Initial reactions to the Final Four proposal have been largely encouraging. Multiple club officials and league stakeholders are said to be supportive of the concept, believing it could breathe new life into Ligue 1 and boost both domestic and international interest in the French game.