Mehdi Benatia joins Canal+ as Champions League consultant

Mehdi Benatia, the former sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, has officially joined Canal+ as a consultant for the Champions League for the 2026-2027 season.

His appointment has drawn significant criticism, particularly from Marseille supporters. Many fans hold Benatia responsible for the club's current financial difficulties and recent lack of new signings, accusing him of leaving the club in a precarious state to pursue a media career.

Reactions from the media have been mixed. Journalist Sacha Nokovitch defended the move, suggesting Benatia's presence will spark necessary debate. Conversely, journalist Dominique Grimault criticized the choice, describing it as a lack of taste for the network's studio.