Lens complete a historic campaign
RC Lens have concluded one of the most successful seasons in the club’s history, winning the Coupe de France for the first time and finishing second in Ligue 1.
Lens defeated OGC Nice 3-1 in the final, according to the club’s official match report. The victory ended a long wait for the trophy following defeats in the 1948, 1975 and 1998 finals.
Their second-place finish also secured qualification for the league phase of the 2026-27 Champions League, bringing European football back to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
The success represents another milestone under Joseph Oughourlian. The businessman first invested in Lens in 2016, when the club was experiencing serious financial difficulties, and has served as president and owner since 2018.
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Oughourlian delivers damning LFP verdict
Despite his club’s achievements, Oughourlian remains deeply dissatisfied with the administration of French professional football.
“The League is extremely badly managed,” he said in an interview with L’Équipe conducted at the club’s La Gaillette training centre.
His criticism was aimed at the Ligue de football professionnel and its president, Vincent Labrune. Oughourlian argued that French football has failed to protect its financial and sporting interests during a period marked by falling broadcasting income and rising operating costs.
“We should be aiming for something other than becoming the Premier League’s second division,” he added, as quoted by L’Équipe.
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The Lens president also expressed concern about the expansion of multi-club ownership and questioned whether the current financial model offers Ligue 1 a sustainable future.
Postponed PSG match deepens frustration
Relations between Lens and the league became increasingly strained towards the end of the season. A decisive match against Paris Saint-Germain was moved from April 11 to May 13 following a unanimous vote by the LFP board.
The postponement was intended to assist PSG during the closing stages of their European campaign. However, Oughourlian argued that the decision was not in the broader interests of Ligue 1, particularly with Lens competing for the title.
His comments reflect a wider dispute over how French football balances the interests of its leading clubs against the integrity and commercial value of the domestic competition.
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Labrune rejects the criticism
Labrune responded by accusing Oughourlian of presenting a misleading version of events. He stressed that the LFP’s major decisions are debated and approved collectively by its member clubs, sometimes with Lens’ support.
“It is difficult to distinguish constructive criticism from posturing,” Labrune said in a separate response published by L’Équipe.
The exchange has exposed the extent of the disagreement between two influential figures in French football. Lens may be celebrating a landmark season, but their president has made clear that success on the pitch has done little to soften his concerns about the way the domestic game is being run.
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