Ligue 1 Latest: Lens and Lyon hit by injury crisis as TV channel faces collapse

French football has endured a highly turbulent week. While top-flight giants reel from severe squad depletion, a looming TV rights financial crisis threatens to plunge the league into further turmoil.

RC Lens dealt devastating blow: Abdallah Sima ruled out until late November 2026

Most notably, a massive injury blow has hit RC Lens after striker Abdallah Sima suffered a serious thigh injury whilst on international duty with Senegal. The 25-year-old forward is ruled out until late November 2026, meaning he will miss around 10 crucial fixtures for Lens across both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

Sima's long-term absence is a devastating blow to manager Yannick Cahuzac's plans. Prior to his injury, the Senegalese forward was a key figure upfront, enjoying an impressive run of form with two goals and two assists in just seven appearances this season. Deprived of their sharpest attacking outlet, Lens face a major selection headache ahead of a grueling fixture schedule.

Lyon new boy Mohamed Ouédraogo suffers ACL tear, sidelined for up to nine months

Meanwhile, Lyon have suffered a massive defensive blow after summer signing Mohamed Ouédraogo ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during training. The 23-year-old Burkina Faso left-back is set to be sidelined for at least six to nine months, a bitter setback just after joining the club from Sparta Prague in the summer of 2026. With Ouédraogo ruled out long-term after making only four appearances (two starts), Lyon are left desperately short of options on the left flank for the demanding campaign ahead.

TV rights crisis: Ligue 1+ channel faces early collapse

Elsewhere off the pitch, Ligue 1 is grappling with a severe TV rights crisis. LFP Media CEO Olivier Bramly has announced plans to fast-track the bidding process for the new five-year broadcasting rights cycle (2027-2032).

This move has been brought forward by two years from the original 2029 schedule as clubs struggle with a lack of meaningful revenue. As a direct consequence, the league's in-house streaming channel, Ligue 1+, faces an early shutdown amid mounting financial difficulties.

Former Rennes midfielder Flavien Tait officially retires aged 33

Notably, former Rennes midfielder Flavien Tait has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33, bringing down the curtain on a 14-year career that began in 2012. The decision to hang up his boots comes after being without a club since January 2026, when he parted ways with Ligue 2 outfit Rodez.

Prior to that, the French midfielder's stint at Rodez was incredibly brief, yielding just five appearances over a two-month spell. A rapid decline and the failure to secure a suitable new club prompted the former Ligue 1 star to call time on his career, closing a chapter filled with both highs and lows.

Neal Maupay hits out, claiming isolation under Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille

Elsewhere, striker Neal Maupay has publicly sparked a war of words within Marseille. Speaking to RMC Sport, the 30-year-old forward laid bare a fractured relationship, claiming he was frozen out and poorly treated under former manager Roberto De Zerbi.

This fallout previously forced Maupay to seek an escape route by joining Sevilla FC on loan in early 2026, where he made 12 appearances and scored twice. Despite returning to France, he has struggled to find his form, failing to score since April 2026 despite making five appearances this term.

Author's Take

French football is going through a highly turbulent and unstable period, from the TV rights financial crisis surrounding Ligue 1+ to internal rifts and emotional retirements. More worryingly, a severe injury crisis sidelining key figures like Lens' Abdallah Sima and Lyon's new signing Mohamed Ouédraogo deals a heavy blow to both clubs' ambitions during the most demanding stretch of the season.

The long-term absence of these key players will undoubtedly reshape the upcoming campaign. In your opinion, will Lens or Lyon feel the impact of this injury crisis more acutely?