Searches are underway Tuesday morning in the offices of the Professional Football League (LFP) and in those of the CVC investment fund in particular, AFP learned from a source close to the case and judicial sources, confirming information from The Team. These searches are part of an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), opened on suspicion of embezzlement of public funds, active and passive corruption of public officials and illegal taking of interest, said the judicial source.
Clarifying the conditions of the LFP – CVC agreement
The case began in November 2023 with a complaint from the “AC! Anticorruption”, denouncing a possible embezzlement of public funds during the creation of the commercial company of the Professional Football League (LFP). The LFP commercial company was created after a partial transfer of capital to the Luxembourg investment fund CVC Capital Partners.
The agreement concluded in April 2022 by the LFP with the CVC should bring 1.5 billion euros to French professional football, compared to 13% of its lifetime income for CVC. The investigations, entrusted on July 16 to the Paris Research Section, must clarify the conditions of this agreement and in particular the role of the various protagonists.
Labrune’s home also searched
According to The Teamsearches are also underway at the home of Vincent Labrune, the president of the Professional Football League. The AFP has not had confirmation at this stage of these searches.
The commercial company had also interested parliamentarians, who last April sent a commission of inquiry into it. However, they reviewed the scope of their own investigations so as not to encroach on the work of the PNF. More generally, the senators are interested in the intervention of investment funds in French football.
