French professional football clubs may soon be visited by the police from the Brigade for the Repression of Acts Against Individuals (BRDP). The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed to Le Monde on April 30 that they had seized the BRDP as part of a preliminary investigation, following a report made in January by the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP), the players’ union. The report was made against unknown individuals for alleged acts of extortion, attempted extortion, psychological harassment, and complicity in these offenses. The UNFP aimed to denounce the practice of “lofting,” where players considered “undesirable” by their employers are sidelined from the professional group during the transfer window.
When a player is placed in this situation, similar to what happened with star Kylian Mbappé during his contract dispute with Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023, they may be denied access to the first team’s locker room, excluded from training and matches, have restricted access to medical care and therapy, and be left out of the club’s online communication or advertising campaigns. The victim can experience moral and economic pressure, as extortion is seen as a tool used by clubs within the highly concentrated ecosystem of around forty professional football clubs in France. This abuse of power has led to the UNFP resorting to legal action, as dialogue with the clubs has been unsuccessful.
The current legal proceedings are likely to be combined with another preliminary investigation opened in March by the Paris prosecutor’s office for psychological harassment and discrimination. This investigation was sparked by a report from the president of the association Les Ouvriers du vivre-ensemble, denouncing the practice of “lofting.” The lawyers representing the UNFP, Julia Minkowski and Léon del Forno, have chosen not to comment on the ongoing process. The vice-president of the UNFP, David Terrier, expressed disappointment at having to take legal action due to the lack of progress through social dialogue.
The issue of players being marginalized by their clubs is a serious concern in the professional football industry in France. Extortion, psychological harassment, and discrimination have led to legal actions being taken against several clubs. The concentrated nature of the ecosystem of professional football clubs has allowed these practices to continue unchecked, prompting the UNFP to turn to law enforcement for intervention. The outcome of these legal proceedings could have significant implications for the treatment of players in the future and could help put an end to the harmful practice of “lofting.”
As the investigation progresses and more information comes to light, it remains to be seen how the French professional football landscape will be affected. The involvement of law enforcement in cases of extortion and harassment within football clubs could lead to increased accountability and transparency in the industry. The actions taken by the UNFP and other organizations to combat these practices are essential in protecting the rights and well-being of professional footballers in France. Ultimately, the outcome of these legal proceedings will have a lasting impact on the way clubs treat their players and could pave the way for a more fair and respectful environment in French football.
