BBC Sport
TV broadcasters Canal+ and beIN Sports have delivered the first blow to Europe’s major leagues by refusing to pay the next installments of their £637m deal to screen Ligue 1 in France.
The coronavirus pandemic has put football in a dangerous financial position, with numerous crucial TV deals – including for the Premier League and Champions League – now at risk.
Broadcasters in Belgium, Australia and the Nordic countries have already spoken about the need to slash their own costs but the French league is the first to be told not to expect its money, which is due on 5 April.
The current deal with Canal+ and BeIN expires at the end of this season. BeIn had bought the secondary rights to show Ligue 1 in France but has subsequently sublet them to Canal+.
In a letter seen by BBC Sport, beIN chief executive Yousef Al-Obaidly, said there was a "lack of real visibility" over when games would start again.
Canal+ has the rights to show the Premier League in France, whilst beIN Sports is one of the world’s biggest sports broadcasters and shows the Premier League across the Middle East and North Africa.
beIN sources say they are dealing with all their TV rights packages on a case-by-case basis.