French Federation seek special exemption to pay Zidane above €450,000 salary cap

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The French Football Federation (FFF) is preparing to request a special exemption from the Ministry of Sports to pay Zinedine Zidane a salary exceeding the €450,000 annual cap imposed by a new sports governance law, according to L’Équipe.

The development threatens to derail the long-anticipated appointment of the legendary former Real Madrid manager as Didier Deschamps’ successor.

The Salary Cap Explained

On July 8, a joint committee of the French Senate and National Assembly set a maximum annual gross salary of €450,000 for employees of sports federations — the same cap applied to chairs of state-owned industrial and commercial enterprises.

This cap now covers the position of France national team head coach. The legislation is expected to be formally adopted in public sessions on July 20 and 21, with publication in the Journal Officiel shortly after.

Why an Exemption Is Needed

If Zidane’s contract is not signed before the law takes effect, the FFF must obtain approval from Marina Ferrari, the Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life, to offer him more than €450,000 annually.

Paying Zidane the capped amount would mean nearly ten times less than what Deschamps currently earns — a prospect described by L’Équipe as “highly improbable.”

Minister Open to Waiver

Sources indicate Ferrari is “open” to granting the exemption. According to RMC Sport, she has already validated the idea of a waiver for the former France playmaker.

A senior government source told L’Équipe: “It is not the Minister’s role to position herself on the choice of the coach” — suggesting she will not block the appointment.

What Zidane Will Earn

According to RMC Sport, Zidane’s package is expected to include:

· €300,000 monthly base salary
· Up to €450,000 monthly with performance bonuses
· An expansive backroom staff of over 25 professionals
· High female representation prioritized, particularly in analytics and data departments

The Timing Question

The FFF faces a critical deadline. If Zidane’s contract is signed before the law is promulgated, the federation could bypass the ministerial approval process entirely.

However, L’Équipe notes such a maneuver “would inevitably be misinterpreted and would have the appearance of a challenge.”

What Happens Next

Deschamps will coach his final match on Saturday in the World Cup third-place play-off against England.

An official announcement of Zidane’s appointment is expected within a week — making this one of the most closely watched managerial transitions in French football history.

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Zidane, 54, has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, where he won three consecutive Champions League titles.