Jean-Michel Aulas aims for all Women’s first-division players to be granted professional status in France

In new plans outlined by former Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas for Women’s football in France, all players who play in France’s first division of Women’s football, D1 Arkema, should be granted professional status. This means that every player within the division will be classed as professional. Aulas was appointed the vice president of the France Football Federation in December 2023. 

This revamp of the league’s professional status should allow 100% of players within the division to earn a living, according to Aulas in an interview with L’Équipe. From the 1st of July, the D1 Arkema will undergo a revamp which enable it to compete with the Women’s Super League in England and Women’s football in the United States. Professional status is not the only new introduction that should help the growth of the women’s game within France. 

Several boosts to the Women’s game 

The new plans for the Women’s game in France will include several other boosts including an €8.5m budget for the 2024/25 season. This increase in funding should aid the financial viability of the game and the turn to professionalization. With these new introductions, Jean-Michel Aulas plans for the D1 Arkema to be “one of the top two leagues for Women’s football in the world”.

GFFN | Liam Wraith