increase in prize money, creation of a professional league, addition of playoffs… The FFF promises a revolution

French women’s football is at a turning point. At the end of an executive committee, the French Football Federation announced, through the voice of its interim president Philippe Diallo, Thursday, April 13, that it would increase “from 20 to 25%” its allocations for women’s football, i.e. “four to five million additional euros”.

The FFF has decided to carry out “an unprecedented effort”, according to Philippe Diallo, in order to get closer to the objective of “professionalization” women’s football in France. A goal which today has a date, July 1, 2024 (subject to the vote of the federal assembly), and a form, that of a professional league specific to women. A novelty commented on by Jean-Michel Aulas, “We were at the forefront, we were probably caught up. It is important that we maintain competitiveness, hence this structuring of the Women’s Professional League internal to the Federation, not independent, and which will integrate D1 and D2“.

Creation of play-offs at the end of the season

Through the voice of Jean-Michel Aulas, playoffs have also been announced, to determine the D1 champion. This measure, which will be effective from next season, and which will also determine the three teams qualified for the Champions League, will include semi-finals on May 12, 2024, then a final on May 19. A small final will be played the day before, May 18. This reform goes hand in hand with the restructuring of the women’s championship, with a second division narrowed to a pool of 12 clubs, and the creation of a third division.