On 23 June 2011, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) confirmed that French television channel Canal+ had acquired four television packages for the next four seasons beginning with the 2012–13 and ending with the 2015–16 season.[1] The organization also announced that independent broadcaster Al Jazeera had acquired two packages. The combined deals are valued at €510 million per season.[2]
Schedule
To coincide with the new television rights deal, the LFP announced that the match days would be re-arranged. Beginning with the 2012–13 season, there will be one match played on Friday night at 21:00. On Saturday, a match will be contested at 17:00. At 19:00, four matches will be played and that will be followed by a match at 21:00. On Sunday, the early match will be played at 14:00. This will be followed by a match at 19:00. Finally, at 21:00, the match day will conclude with the showcase match.[1]
On 11 July 2012, following a preliminary review of each club's administrative and financial accounts in Ligue 2, the DNCG ruled that Le Mans would be relegated to the Championnat National.[5] Following the announcement, Le Mans club president Henri Legarda announced that the club would appeal the decision, stating the "shareholders will play their part and the club will go after every possible step to restore its rightful place in the sport".[6]
National
On 12 June 2012, following a preliminary review of each club's administrative and financial accounts in the Championnat National, the DNCG ruled that Cherbourg would be relegated to the Championnat de France amateur due to the club possessing a financial debt of €200,000.[7][8] Following the announcement, Cherbourg president Gérard Gohel announced that the club would appeal the decision.[9] On 5 July, the DNCG reversed its decision to relegate Cherbourg after the club gained the €200,000 required to remain in the division.[10]
