"French football is out of the woods": DNCG boss Jean-Marc Mickeler praises the good health of clubs

Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin / Photo credit: Frederic Scheiber / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 19:41 p.m., June 01, 2023

"French football is better". Jean-Marc Mickeler, National Director of Management Control (DNCG) of football in France, reassured on the good management of clubs at the national level. Exceptional guest of the program Europe 1 Sport (every evening from 20 hours to 23 hours live on Europe 1), the leader highlighted a large budgetary improvement within the French professional clubs. "French football is now extremely well positioned to do well in the future. And this, especially since we have saved our fifth place in the UEFA rankings, synonymous with more money, "said Jean-Marc Mickeler at the microphone of Jacques Vendroux.

As a reminder, the France managed to retain its fifth European rank at the level of football nations following the defeat of AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals of the Europa League Conference. The France was in danger of losing its place to the Netherlands. This good news allows the League to offer four places for the Champions League from 2024 (three direct and one qualifier). A strategic position to increase revenues in terms of TV rights for clubs.

>> READ ALSO - IN PICTURES - Triumphant arrival, expected departure... Lionel Messi's contrasting time at PSG

Financial Constable

Ensuring the financial health of French teams is Jean-Marc Mickeler's main mission. Its main role is to "guarantee a fair course of professional championships and to ensure that a club that starts the season can finish it," he summarized in Europe 1 Sport. A role of "financial policeman" which has above all a preventive function to prevent clubs from falling into bankruptcy. The DNCG must "ensure that the resources of the teams are proportionate to the means implemented by the shareholders". In other words, that clubs do not buy on credit.

"We have a constant dialogue throughout the year with the clubs, with the shareholders of the clubs who regularly present us with their budget. We anticipate the hearings that are traditionally held at the end of the season, in May, in June, "explained the boss of the DNCG. But he assures him, "in 95% of cases, it goes well". And this year, all eyes will be on the National 1 championship. Concarneau, who obtained his rise in Ligue 2, may not finally pass in the upper echelon because of its stadium for the moment not homologated for the second division. Relegated to National 2, Nancy appealed on its side to recover some points. Jean-Marc Mickeler also has "a number of uncertainties" about some clubs, but the DNCG "will find the answers in the coming weeks".

Situations however exceptional and singular according to Jean-Marc Mickeler who again recalled the good health of the majority of clubs in France, especially compared to the Covid period. For him, "French football is out of the woods".