French football could change forever! PSG facing Ligue 1 overhaul as authorities consider creation of title play-offs

According to L'Equipe,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.

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.

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.

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.

Beyond changes to the competition format, French football governance itself is also being restructured. The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which currently oversees both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, could soon be replaced with a new administrative framework modelled after the Premier League’s independent structure in England.

This revamp would see the responsibilities of the LFP absorbed into a fresh organisation designed to streamline decision-making at the highest level of French football. The FFF is believed to be working closely with league officials and club representatives to fine-tune this shift in governance.