Paying a subscription with a broadcaster to watch football on TV is increasingly becoming a risky business. Even before the concerns related to doubts about Mediapro, the new broadcaster of L1 and L2, to honor its contract, many subscribers turned against Canal + and BeIn Sports after the confinement. They believe that the two broadcasters continued to collect subscriptions while the L1 and L2 championships were stopped.
As part of a class action, the firm Active Avocats conducted the proceedings. Its representative, Mr. Vincent Durand, also resigned vice-president of the legal commission of the Professional Football League (LFP), believes that the dispute will have to be settled by justice.
Where in the procedure carried out by subscribers who claim from Canal + and BeIn Sports the reimbursement of their subscription?
Me VINCENT DURAND. The procedure is ongoing. We continue to discuss. Canal + has made a written proposal for 25% compensation over a three-month subscription. As for BeIn Sports, they say they are ready to negotiate but without making any proposals. Clearly, both groups are playing the exhaustion card and just trying to save time.
What did the subscribers that you represent decide before the Canal + proposal?
Out of 1395 files made, only 5 accepted. The others are demanding that they be fully reimbursed for subscriptions without football. There, I am left with no other solution than to go to court. And the more aggrieved subscribers to join us, the more powerful the action will be.
Do the doubts now weighing on Mediapro’s ability to meet its financial commitments reinforce mistrust vis-à-vis broadcasters?
People will indeed get bored. I have the impression that some are betting on a return home of Téléfoot subscribers. But a second wave of protest from viewers will rise. Subscribers to paid football are the turkeys of the farce. We can see that there is a fool’s game of broadcasters who take advantage of the weakness and lack of cohesion of the representative bodies of French football.
Is your action as a lawyer compatible with your duties at the LFP?
I stepped back in May in the interest of the LFP. I have just resigned from my mandate to be freer in my action.
Article original de: www.leparisien.fr