French Ligue 1 has agreed to cut the number of its team from 20 to 18 teams beginning from the 2023/24 season.
With concern mounting over the expanded fixture list players have to navigate, the French league has acted in favour of the players by reducing the number of teams allowed in its top tier division.
According to a report by RMC, four teams will be relegated in the 2022/23 season, while only two clubs will gain promotion. This will result in the league being reduced to 18 teams for the 2023/24 campaign.
According to the French publication via Eurosport, clubs in the French top division met during the summer to vote on the decision. Only Metz voted against making the changes.
With the French league taking the first step, other European leagues could follow suit, and trim down their number. For example, in the Premier League, there have been calls by the top-six clubs in English football for the number of teams allowed in the top division to be reduced to 18 teams.
The leaders of the idea Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs argued that the 18 teams in the league will make the league more competitive and more attractive.
Although their proposal was shut down by a host of clubs who argued that the move was selfish, if the matter of fixture-pile up is thrown into the argument, the clubs might change their minds. And with the Ligue 1 now leading the charge, it might force the Premier League to revisit the proposal.
Also, the Italian Serie A is also considering trimming the size of the top flight from 20 to 18 teams according to reports
Meanwhile, Ligue 1 has also released its plans for the 2022/23 campaign, which is a World Cup year.
According to their plan, league matches will be suspended on November 13; eight days before the World Cup begins in Qatar and will resume on December 28, 10 days after the World Cup final.
