Lyon will play in Ligue 1 for the 2025-26 season. Following a hearing held this Wednesday morning by the Federal Appeals Committee, Lyon provided all the guarantees required to confirm their place in France’s top flight. The news comes as a relief 15 days after the French National Control and Management Committee (DNCG) announced that the club had been demoted to Ligue 2.
“Olympique Lyonnais welcomes today’s decision by the DNCG to keep the Club in Ligue 1,” the club said in a statement. “OL thanks the appeals committee for recognizing the ambition of the club’s new management, determined to ensure serious management in the future.
“The new management, supported by the commitment and dedication of our shareholders and lenders, is extremely grateful for all the support received both within and outside the club, including from its supporters, employees, players, partners and elected officials.
“Today’s decision is the first step in restoring confidence in Olympique Lyonnais. We can now focus our attention on our sporting objectives and fully prepare for next season.”
Although the club has officially been saved for this season, it will still have to contend with a wage bill and transfer fees ceiling on the Ligue 1 budget proposed by the committee.
A lesser evil for the Rhone club, who will also be able to take part in the Europa League, for which they qualified by finishing sixth in the league at the end of the 2024-25 season.
