Tuesday, 11th June, 2013

Ligue 1 clubs apart from Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco should start resigning themselves to achieving no better than third place in the current financial climate, according to French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet.

PSG and Monaco have been investing immensely in the summer, as part of a long-term financial impetus for different reasons respectively, causing, potentially, a massive gap between themselves and the rest of the field.



While PSG have benefited from a middle-eastern cash influx, thanks to its Qatari owners, Monaco’s Russian backing is only boosted by its status in the tax-free principality allowing inflated transfer reserves.

With Monaco making the return to Ligue 1 for next season and PSG holding the champions title, Le Graet feels the rest of the pack are looking at a tough climb towards competing on the same level.

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He told L’Equipe: "What is worrying is that the first two places in the championship seem pledged to PSG and Monaco. I think all clubs need to invest to settle for third place. That is worrying."

Monaco have been embroiled in a row over their tax-free status, as the Ligue Professionelle de Football (LFP) voted in March to exclude the second division champions unless they moved their head offices to France to come under tougher fiscal laws.

The FFF’s intervention and subsequent request that Monaco pay €200m instead was rejected by the club, who have moved the Council of State in France – a decision upon the matter is expected on 20th June.

Le Graet added: "In no other European country does a club have a tax advantage over its competitors. You can tell me that it was the case twenty years ago, but the budgets were not what they are now.

"According to reports the best solution is obviously that the league requires Monaco to set up its headquarters in France. But I do not believe it to be the case."

Monaco have also been given a supporting voice from Toulouse president Olivier Sadran, who believes the principality club have much to offer French football thanks to their financial strength.

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