A major earthquake has just struck French football. Having been auditioned on Tuesday by the Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNCG, the body responsible for overseeing the finances of French clubs), Lyon have been demoted to Ligue 2.
The Rhone-based club, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season, have announced that they will appeal — they now have seven days to compile their dossier.
“Olympique Lyonnais takes note of the incomprehensible decision handed down by the DNCG this evening and confirms that it will appeal immediately,” said a statement.
“Over the last few months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, satisfying all their requests with equity investments in excess of the amounts requested. Thanks to the equity contributions from our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved considerably and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season.
“With proven funds and sporting success that has earned us a place in European competition two years running, we sincerely do not understand how an administrative decision could relegate such a great French club. We will appeal to demonstrate our ability to provide the necessary resources in terms of cash flow to guarantee OL’s survival in L1.”
John Textor’s Lyon carries almost a €200m debt
It has been several months now since the threat of relegation hung over Lyon. Since last winter, to be precise, when the DNCG threatened administrative demotion to the second division. The consequence of a €175m debt that Textor has never been able to pay off, despite an orchestrated communication campaign based on ambient positivism.
Just a few minutes before his appearance in front of the committee, the American businessman was showing all his confidence, claiming that “everything is financially fine”. Clearly not everything was so simple.
