Ivory Coast increases football grants to 140m CFA francs for Ligue 1 clubs

The Federation Ivoirienne de Football has increased the financial support available to clubs competing in Cote d’Ivoire’s professional championships, with Ligue 1 sides set to receive 140m CFA francs and Ligue 2 clubs 70m.

The announcement was made by federation president Idriss Yacine Diallo as clubs prepare for the new season. The higher payments are expected to ease pressure on club directors, who can now review their budget requirements with the revised figures in mind.

Under the new arrangement, every club in the Ivorian top flight will receive a grant of 140m CFA francs. Clubs competing in Ligue 2 will be allocated 70m CFA francs, half the amount given to teams in Ligue 1.

The changes represent a significant rise compared with the previous funding structure. Ligue 1 clubs had been receiving 100m CFA francs, while the grant for Ligue 2 clubs stood at 50m CFA francs.

The federation has also increased support for competitions outside the country’s two leading professional divisions. Funding for the third division will rise from 30m to 40m CFA francs.

Women’s football is also included in the revised programme. Clubs competing in the women’s championship will receive 15m CFA francs, while groupements d’interet will be allocated 20m CFA francs.

The increases come as clubs make their preparations for the forthcoming campaign. For those in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, the revised grants provide a clearer basis for assessing their financial needs before the season begins.

The latest figures mean top-flight clubs receive an additional 40m CFA francs compared with the previous allocation. Ligue 2 teams will receive 20m CFA francs more than before, while third-division clubs will see their support increase by 10m CFA francs.

Although the announcement covers several levels of the domestic game, the largest individual grants remain those assigned to Ligue 1 clubs. Ligue 2 receives half the top-flight amount, while the third division, women’s championship and groupements d’interet have separate allocations under the federation’s updated support system.

The decision gives club leaders new figures to work with as they reassess their budgets for the new season. It also extends the increased financial support beyond the professional divisions to the third tier and women’s competition.