Football. Racing Club de Strasbourg: the Minister of Sports wants multiproperty to be regulated at the European level.

This Thursday, the French soccer community will have their eyes on Meinau for the second leg of the Conference League semi-final against the Spanish team Rayo Vallecano. The Minister of Sports, Youth, and Community Life, who has been in office since last October, will be among the Racing fans.

“It was important for me to come, especially since a very important match will be played here on Thursday, it’s time to support the team,” Marina Ferrari explained after the championship match that the Blues lost to Toulouse (1-2) on Sunday.

“To be competitive, our clubs need foreign capital”

This was an opportunity for Ferrari to discuss with the leaders of both clubs, specifically Marc Keller from Strasbourg and Olivier Cloarec from Toulouse, about the proposed law on the reform of professional sports governance.

Unanimously adopted by the Senate last June, this “important text,” as described by the minister, will be presented to the National Assembly on May 18.

The project involves a major overhaul of French football, including the disappearance of the Professional League (LFP) in favor of a company of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs, supported by private partners.

“This gives me the opportunity to discuss with leaders about their expectations,” said Marina Ferrari. “Today, we have an economic problem, with many media rights escaping due to piracy. There is also a part that will address the structuring of professional women’s sports. In Strasbourg, there is a women’s section that is developing well.”

Asked about the issue of multiple ownership affecting both Racing and Toulouse, the minister emphasized the need for foreign capital for clubs to remain competitive at the European level.

“Marina Ferrari reiterated that it is a phenomenon that goes beyond the national framework. Therefore, she advocates for regulation of multiple ownership but within a European framework,” the publication states, emphasizing Ferrari’s message at the Council of Europe on May 11 and 12.

“Multiple ownership doesn’t cause deficits”

The recent DNCG report highlighted the significant financial losses in French football. For example, Racing incurred a record loss of 78.3 million euros in the last fiscal year (2024-2025). The question remains whether this model is sustainable.

“It is not multiple ownership that causes deficits, it is the economic difficulties of French football,” said the minister. She pointed out that losses related to piracy amount to 1.5 billion euros for culture and sports, with over 390 million for sports alone. It underscores the importance of combating this phenomenon while acknowledging the role of investors in maintaining clubs at a certain level.

“Respect the identity of clubs and territories”

As an exciting week potentially unfolds with PSG and Racing on the brink of a European final, Marina Ferrari delivers an optimistic message to supporters, acknowledging their concerns but assuring that safeguards are in place.

“Our role, as public authorities, is to ensure that everything is well regulated and, most importantly, that the identity of clubs and territories is respected,” she explained. She praised Marc Keller’s leadership at Racing for preserving the club’s spirit, highlighting that foreign investors do not necessarily alter the essence of the club, which is rooted in supporters, the local community, and the enthusiasm around it.