The main Lyon fans groups have been calling for John Textor’s departure in recent hours. The move follows the club’s administrative demotion to Ligue 2 decided on Tuesday by the Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNCG), French football’s financial watchdog.
Having already been singled out and asked to leave the club by the Bad Gones 1987, the main supporters’ association, yesterday, the American businessman has, this Wednesday, this time been the object of the wrath of Lyon 1950, the other major group in Lyon’s footballing landscape.
“The DNCG’s decision came down last night. As our members knew, we had opted for patience (once again) and, after many promises, gave them the benefit of the doubt until the DNCG’s decision,” said a press release.
“This stance was only motivated by two arguments: the best interests of our club and maintaining the calmest possible climate around the OL!
“Today, we have to admit that the already limited credit we granted the owner was worthless after all! Are we surprised? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
“From now on, because only the near future matters to all those who have suffered since Tuesday night, we have only one expectation: that this owner, by some miracle, will be able to save Olympique Lyonnais and its employees from the disaster to which he has greatly contributed, and that he will then leave for other distant lands!
The owner has to respect this club, its identity and its values. The only way for him to do that is to leave.”
A rallying call from the fans
However, hope remains at OL. Because while the situation may seem utterly bleak, the club can still be saved. Or at least in part. Almost 24 hours after the terrible announcement of its demotion, it is now waiting to hear the details from the DNCG and the reasons for its decision to demote it.
Once the official notification will be received (which may not happen until Friday), the Olympique Lyonnais board will then have seven days to put together its case for appeal. A period synonymous with vagueness for all the club’s supporters, who are already called upon to gather outside Groupama Stadium this Saturday.
