Olympique Lyon was administratively reassigned to Ligue 2 due to financial problems. The decision was brought by the National Committee for Control (DNCG), which in France oversees the management of football clubs. The famous French club can still appeal against the verdict.
French club president John Textor and sports director Mickael Gerlinger dealt with DNCG on Tuesday and the committee subsequently confirmed the original decision of November 15.
Already at that time DNGC warned that Lyon would be transferred to the second league after the end of the season, unless he would provide the required warranty due to a debt of EUR 175 million.
Textor saw the situation positively. “Everything went well, I consider our numbers good,” He said the American entrepreneur about his club’s financial side.
OFFICIAL: Olympique Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2.
The club has the possibility to appeal the decision. pic.twitter.com/T4UKbqYQBV
– Fabrizio Romano (@fabrizioromano) June 24, 2025
Other real hints of great trouble appeared in early June. Lyon was unable to solve the debt by selling players, which led to punishment. The imaginary nails for the coffin were also low revenues from television rights.
Olympique tried to get funds for the last moments by selling players. Rayan Cherki went to Manchester City for 36.5 million euros, which was far beyond the expectations of leadership. The textor also tried to sell his stake in Crystal Palace worth EUR 200 million, which he failed.
The seven -time French Master Lyon is not the first participant in Ligue 1 to be deposed from the elite competition. In the recent past, a similar fate also met Bordeaux or Ajaccio.
The article was originally published for Livesport messages.
