THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — French soccer will hold its traditional season curtain-raiser in Montreal next summer, marking the first time the game has been played outside of France.
"It’s time for French football to conquer new markets," Frederic Thiriez, president of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), said on the league website. "As we’ve managed to double the revenue for our TV rights in foreign countries in a year, the idea of playing the Champions Trophy abroad was obvious.
"Montreal is the ideal entrance into North America. We’re happy to be able to share this initial experiment with our Canadian friends."
Second division Guingamp, who won the French Cup by beating Rennes last weekend, will play the league champion in Montreal on July 26, 2010.
But while the French league proclaimed the news, the Montreal Impact suggested more work had to be done to seal the deal. There were no details available on where the game would be played.
"We are very happy to see that the city of Montreal has been selected to host the Champions Trophy," Richard Legendre, executive vice-president of the Montreal Impact and Saputo Stadium, said in a statement Tuesday.
"The Impact has taken significant steps in the last few months for this important match to be held in Montreal. However, there are currently various elements that need to be settled, including the venue, as well as significant financial considerations. The organization continues its work with the Ligue de Football Professionnel in order for this event to take place."
The Impact said Legendre would have no further comment Tuesday.