Multi-club ownership is under threat in France after a member of parliament presented a cross-party bill that could ban timeshare control of football clubs, potentially affecting Chelsea and Manchester City’s stakes in Ligue 1 teams. Coquerel warns the law is aimed at ensuring “sporting risk” and “equality of opportunity” while punishing non-compliance with heavy fines and competition bans.
The proposal to ban multi-club ownership
Coquerel unveiled a bill aimed at banning such ownership of professional clubs in France, supported by nearly 90 MPs from all parties. The law seeks to prevent a single owner from controlling multiple clubs, extending the powers of France’s financial watchdog (DNCG), to block questionable deals. Non-compliance could lead to fines worth two per cent of global turnover and bans from competitions. Clubs already under multi-ownership would be exempt to protect the current balance of French football.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhich clubs will be affected by this bill?
The bill could impact 10 Ligue 1 clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, Monaco, Nice, Strasbourg and Toulouse, as well as seven in Ligue 2. Coquerel cites recent examples, such as Lyon’s near-administrative relegation due to Eagle Football Holdings’ multi-ownership, and Red Star’s collapse under 777 Partners, to highlight risks.
“Timeshare ownership is prohibited in France between French sports companies, but a French club can belong to a group that has other clubs abroad. The objective is to prevent it,” he explained, stressing fairness and sporting integrity across European football.
Financial and legal risks exposed in multi-club empires
The move comes as regulators intensify scrutiny of international ownership. Chelsea’s ties through BlueCo and City’s sprawling City Football Group (CFG) network raise questions over competitive integrity under UEFA’s Article 5, which prohibits two clubs with the same owner from competing in European tournaments. CFG’s growing portfolio – spanning New York, Melbourne, Mumbai, Girona, Palermo, and more – has already tested these limits. If Girona were to face City in the Champions League, UEFA would confront a direct conflict of its own rules.
Legal disputes highlight the risks: Lyon faces creditor challenges, John Textor owes €82 million (£71m/$93m) across multiple countries, and 777 Partners’ debt structures in the US signal potential instability. Questions also remain over whether CFG’s acquisition debts could breach financial fair play rules given the group owns Ligue 2 side Troyes.
Getty Images SportWhen will this bill come into effect?
The bill is expected to be presented to the National Assembly by late 2025 or early 2026. If passed, it could reshape ownership rules in French football, limiting foreign investors’ ability to control multiple clubs and ensuring transparency. Clubs like Strasbourg, owned by BlueCo (also Chelsea’s owner), could face restrictions on future dealings. The move signals France’s intent to lead Europe in regulating multi-club ownership while safeguarding financial fairness and sporting competition.
