Unbelievable what has just happened in French football. Olympique Lyon, despite having finished sixth in the 2024/25 season standings in Ligue 1, will have to play in Ligue 2 next season, after its administrative relegation was made official.
The National Management Control Board (DNCG), the governing body of the financial section of the French league, confirmed the harsh sanction after failing to meet the economic criteria required by this entity.
Lyon had already been warned by the DNCG
The French team, which would be relegated for the second time in its history (the 1st was in the 1982/83 season), had already been warned about this sanction since last November, when the DNCG provisionally agreed to its relegation. In turn, it was urged to raise €175 million to be able to revoke this harsh punishment.
However, since that warning, the situation has not improved much. Olympique Lyon has remained mired in economic problems and, after failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, has also seen a path that could have been a positive injection in financial matters escape in order to try to amend the path in a year where sporting successes were scarce:
- Ligue 1: 6th
- French Cup: Round of 32
- Europa League: Quarterfinals
Now, the decision was ratified after a meeting held this Tuesday at the headquarters of the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel), in which the DNCG met with the club's owner, John Textor. In a summit of approximately two hours, the manager presented his arguments to try to reverse the ruling that until then had a provisional nature. Without any success.
Lyon can appeal, but the situation is critical
Under this premise, the French team still has the option of appealing the decision. However, the scenario gives the impression of not being the most favorable for the Lyon team that, after this administrative relegation, —if the appeal is not successful—, could suffer a general exodus.
Faced with the sporting decline and the need to balance accounts, it may be forced to part with several of its most striking talents. One of them has already left: Rayan Cherki, sold to Manchester City for the meager amount of €35 million.
The midfielder could be followed by other names such as Georges Mikautadze, one of their top scorers of the year. In addition, the winger Malick Fofana or the midfielder Thiago Almada; as well as some other star player of the team led by Paulo Fonseca, currently in his lowest hours.
Olympique Lyon announces that it will appeal
Hours after learning of its administrative relegation to Ligue 2, Olympique Lyon released a statement in which it revealed that it will appeal the financial body's ruling. The Rhone team, in its announcement, considers the decision taken by the DNCG to be "incomprehensible" and describes the sanction imposed by the Professional Football League on such a "big team in French football" as unfounded.
"Olympique Lyonnais takes note of the incomprehensible decision taken by the DNCG tonight and confirms that it will appeal immediately," expresses the beginning of the statement.
It continues: "In recent months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, fulfilling all its requests with capital investments exceeding the amounts required. Thanks to the capital contributions of our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our treasury has improved significantly and we have more than enough resources for the 2025/26 season."
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