Sport

Ligue 1+: technical glitch sparks subscriber backlash during Lens-PSG clash

08:00

By: Sahili Aya

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The new Ligue 1+ streaming platform faced an early setback on Sunday evening when numerous subscribers were unable to access the service during the highly anticipated clash between RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophée des champions.

Subscribers locked out at kick-off

As the match got underway, some users attempting to connect to Ligue 1+ were greeted by an error message instead of the highly anticipated encounter.

The technical failure quickly triggered frustration on social media. Several subscribers complained about being unable to watch the opening match of the French football season despite having access to the platform.

For many viewers, the timing was particularly problematic. Lens and PSG were meeting in a major season-opening fixture, with the northern club ultimately securing a historic 1-0 victory and lifting its first Trophée des champions.

Ligue 1+ apologises

Faced with a wave of complaints, the platform acknowledged the disruption and apologised to affected customers.

Ligue 1+ said that a technical problem was preventing some users from accessing the service and indicated that its teams were working to restore normal operation as quickly as possible.

The platform subsequently announced that the issue was being resolved and encouraged users to try reconnecting.

An awkward start for the broadcaster

The incident represents an unwanted complication for Ligue 1+ at the beginning of a new season. For a streaming service, reliability during major live sporting events is particularly important, as even a short interruption can immediately generate strong reactions from paying subscribers.

The Lens-PSG encounter was also an important test for the platform because of the profile of the two clubs and the significance of the Trophée des champions.

While the technical problem was eventually addressed, the episode has already raised questions among subscribers about the platform's ability to handle large audiences during the most-watched matches of the season.