frbleus1-1, Exercise 1: Explaining the pyramid

Model answer (check the details):

At the top is Ligue 1, the professional first division, with Ligue 2 below it. Both are run by the professional league (the LFP), which sells the television rights and organises the fixtures. Below them are national and regional divisions of semi-professional and amateur clubs, run by the French Football Federation (the FFF) and its regional leagues. Teams move between levels by promotion and relegation.

Alongside the league ladder there is the Coupe de France, a knockout cup. Village clubs enter the early rounds and professional sides join later, so a tiny club can be drawn against a Ligue 1 team. The federation also runs the national teams (Les Bleus and Les Bleues) and the training centre at Clairefontaine, while professional clubs run their own academies (centres de formation) for young players.

Who runs what: the LFP for the professional leagues, the FFF for the amateur game, the cup and the national teams.

Care: the number of clubs in each division and the exact split of responsibilities between the FFF and the LFP change over time, so check current sources.