PARIS — After more than three decades, the landscape of Parisian soccer is experiencing a significant transformation as two clubs from the capital will be competing in France’s top league next season. Paris FC, having recently been acquired by the country’s wealthiest family, has achieved promotion to Ligue 1 and will join the ranks of Paris Saint-Germain, which is financially backed by Qatari investors. This development puts an end to Paris being notable for having just one leading football club. The complexities behind this historic anomaly in French soccer have intrigued many.
When soccer enthusiasts visit prominent European cities, they often have multiple match options to choose from. Unlike London, which boasts seven Premier League teams, Paris has been singular in its representation by PSG as a top-tier club. This is an unusual situation when compared with cities like Madrid, Rome, and Manchester, where multiple strong soccer clubs coexist. Paul Dietschy, a researcher specializing in sports history, points out a paradox: despite the city’s ability to cultivate exceptional soccer talent, Paris has struggled to sustain prominent soccer clubs akin to other European capitals like Barcelona or London.
This is not the first endeavour of a wealthy mogul investing in Parisian clubs. The late Jean-Luc Lagardère attempted to reinvigorate Paris’ prestigious Racing Club by forming Matra Racing in the 1980s. This venture saw significant signings such as Enzo Francescoli, Pierre Littbarski, and Luis Fernandez. However, despite the high-profile roster, Matra Racing faced challenges in attracting fans and achieving substantial success, leading to Lagardère’s exit after a few years.
The historical lack of a robust soccer presence in Paris can partly be traced back to France’s unique relationship with the sport. Unlike the UK, where soccer took an early hold, France’s national sport status for soccer emerged much later, only in the mid-20th century. Other forms of entertainment, notably cycling and boxing, held popular sway, particularly in working-class neighborhoods, hindering soccer’s growth in the city.
Despite PSG’s domestic dominance, winning numerous titles under Qatari ownership, the French soccer league still lacks the financial pull and star power of other European leagues. This has, however, made the league more accessible for investment due to the abundance of home-grown talent. French academies are celebrated for producing world-class athletes, exemplified by global stars like Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé. France’s commitment to scouting and youth development continues to be a cornerstone of its soccer legacy.
Soccer fandom in France marks a sharp contrast with its reputation for international success. While over two million individuals are linked to club soccer, enthusiasm for Ligue 1 remains inconsistent. Unlike the deep-seated passion seen in English clubs, French club soccer hasn’t permeated social and cultural layers in a similar fashion. Although there are dedicated followers for clubs like Marseille and Lens, the general public’s engagement with club soccer wavers.
The allure of French league soccer did see a spike in the late ’80s and ’90s, propelled by the glamour and fierce rivalries involving Marseille and PSG. This excitement was diluted by the Bosman ruling, which allowed unrestricted movement of players across European clubs, leading to an exodus of talent from France to more lucrative leagues. Recently, PSG has been able to restore a semblance of prominence through significant investments.
Paris FC, established in 1969, now finds itself with an opportunity for an upward trajectory under the proprietorship of the Arnault family. With ambitions of elevating the club’s fortunes, the Arnaults have partnered with Red Bull and enlisted the expertise of Jürgen Klopp as part of their strategic vision to elevate Paris FC into a formidable outfit in French soccer.
“There is potential for Paris FC to establish itself,” notes Dietschy. “With PSG regularly selling out its matches, a vacuum exists for a second compelling club offer. Building from the ground up provides a chance to craft a new narrative, landscape, and identity for the club in the modern cultural context where luxury and popular appeal may coexist.”