It is a new song that OL supporters would have gone well. She has been targeting their president since December 2023, John Textor: “It is an American who is useless, Textor run, OL is not yours. »»
This Saturday at 4 p.m., the sun hits hard on the forecourt of the OL shop, at the foot of the Groupama Stadium, but anger is even more hot. About a thousand supporters of Olympique Lyonnais are gathered at the call of two of the main ultra groups of the club, the North Kop Virage (Bad Gones) and the 1950 Lyon, to express their fed up. All other fans associations joined the movement.
Objective: to denounce the management of John Textor, at the head of Olympique Lyonnais since December 2022, after the announcement Tuesday of the relegation of OL to Ligue 2 by the DNCG. And above all to claim the departure of the American.
On a small platform mounted for the occasion, the speeches alternate for a half-time. JS, the corpo of the north turn, opens the sequence: “We are there for OL. We are not there against. Finally, we are there for their departure ”. Then, a few seconds later, more clearly: “We are there for the departure of John Textor, that things are clear. »»
“He makes credits and puts the club in shit”
Terence, another figure in the North turn, evokes a “sali” training center and denounces the commercial vision of the club carried by Textor: “For him, supporters are commercial partners! ». A representative of the 1950 Lyon continues with a frontal load against “the cowboy”: “Today, he puts guys in place and he turns them every six months. What is the project? What are ambitions? The guy shows up when he wants, takes out the violins and nestles the supporters. It’s just an American who makes credits and puts the club in shit. We want a passionate, someone who is there every day. »»
Maxence, 24, subscribes to the southern turn and a member of the 1950 Lyon, agrees with everything that has been said: “He transfers money constantly from one club to another. For me, a real president is part of a single club not in forty (sic) Clubs at the same time. This demonstration should have been made long before, from November when the DNCG pronounced the first threat of relegation. »»
Even the OL communication director was targeted at the microphone: “He only thinks of his little person, of his media and political friends. The atmosphere is hostile, but without overflow. And a message comes back like a mantra: “Let OL become OL again. »»
“We are talking about a man who broke the Lyon identity”
Symbol of the unprecedented unity of this mobilization: Thierry, at the head of the Red & Blue – a group of supporters usually moderate and historically always in support of the club, in all circumstances – speaks: “Textor has managed to bring together all OL supporters as never. »»
He confides to us: “There is a moment when we have to say stop. We are talking about a man who broke the Lyon identity and who is breaking all that President Aulas has done. All together, the Lyonnais must be there to say that they do not agree. »»
And this challenge goes beyond French borders. Last Sunday, in Brussels, a thousand supporters of the Molenbeek club, also detained by John Textor via Eagle Football, had also demonstrated. In question: the American owner’s decision to change the name of the club, a symbol experienced as a betrayal of his identity.
“This is only the beginning of a fight”
Faced with the Fronde, the future of John Textor at the head of OL seems more uncertain than ever. Several sources evoke a possible recomposition of governance in the coming days. The names of Michele Kang, already at the head of Ol Lyonnes (the new name of Ol Féminin), and Michael Gerlinger, director of football at Eagle, circulate to take over. The supporters have decided: for them, the departure of Textor is no longer an option, but a necessity.
Textor himself, in remarks reported by the Brazilian media Globo, suggests an imminent disengagement while he attended this Saturday at the 8th finals of Botafogo at the Club World Cup: “I will devote much more time to think about Eagle on a global scale, and return more often to Botafogo. I have shareholders who will mobilize and tackle problems that, honestly, I have not managed very well in France. »»
Nicolas, who came with his six -year -old boy, sees him further: “Be careful, this is only the start of a fight. Textor is the tree that hides the forest. Today, there is an urgency to change Textor to have a different speech and acts. But whatever the person after, the multi -ownership will stay and we must fight this. But we came to such a point of distrust and no return that it is clearly necessary to change. »»
title marginbottommd margintopxxl”>Key Concerns and Demands: A Summary
The current situation at Olympique Lyonnais (OL) is marked by significant discontent among supporters. The following table summarizes the core issues and demands articulated during the recent protests:
| Issue | Description | Supporters’ Position |
| :————————————— | :————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– | :———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Relegation too Ligue 2 | OL’s demotion to Ligue 2 for the 2025-26 season following financial review.[[2]] | Considered a direct outcome of John textor’s mismanagement,demanding accountability. |
| John Textor’s Management | Criticism of Textor’s leadership as taking over in December 2022. Concerns include financial decisions, apparent lack of a long-term strategy, frequent personnel changes, and a perceived focus on commercial interests over the club’s identity. | Overwhelming demand for Textor’s departure. Supporters see him as detrimental to the club’s future and identity.|
| Lack of Club Identity | Supporters feel Textor is eroding the club’s historical identity and values, with the commercialization of the club. | Call for a return to the club’s core values, prioritizing passion, long-term vision, and dedication to the Lyon community. |
| Multi-Club Ownership Concerns | The ownership of OL by Eagle Football, which also owns othre clubs like Molenbeek, raises concerns about resource allocation and the impact on OL’s focus and resources. | Focus on the impact of multi-ownership on the club’s resources and priorities. Call to end the exploitation. |
| Financial Instability | Reports of financial maneuvers and debts raise concerns about the club’s long-term financial stability. | Demands for transparency and a more stable financial approach to ensure the club’s survival and competitiveness. |
The future of Olympique Lyonnais hangs in the balance. Supporters are united in their calls for change, with their voices resonating beyond the borders of Lyon, emphasizing the importance of community, history, and a clear vision for the future of the club.
title marginbottommd margintopxxl”>SEO-Kind FAQ Section: Answering Your Questions About the olympique Lyonnais Controversy
To improve search visibility and engagement, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the current situation at Olympique Lyonnais, answered in a concise and informative manner:
What’s the main reason for the current fan protests against Olympique Lyonnais?
The primary cause of the protests is the supporters’ dissatisfaction with club owner John Textor’s management. They are also protesting the team’s relegation to Ligue 2, expressing concerns about financial decisions, and the erosion of the club’s identity.
Why are fans calling for the departure of John Textor?
Supporters believe Textor’s leadership has led to poor financial decisions, a lack of strategic vision, and a perceived focus on commercial interests at the expense of the club’s heritage. They feel his actions have jeopardized the club’s future and identity.
What specific financial issues are being raised?
Fans are worried about the club’s financial stability, debt, and the impact of Textor’s financial moves on the team’s ability to compete.
What is the role of Eagle Football in this controversy?
Eagle Football, which owns OL, has been criticized for its multi-club ownership model, which creates concerns about resource allocation and focus on Olympique Lyonnais.
what are the demands of the Olympique Lyonnais supporters?
The core demands include the immediate departure of John Textor, greater financial transparency, and a return to the club’s historical values and identity.
Who might possibly replace John textor?
while no formal proclamation has been made, some sources suggest Michele Kang or Michael Gerlinger could be candidates, however, there is an overall lack of trust that needs to be repaired.
What is the historical context of the Olympique Lyonnais?
Olympique lyonnais, founded in 1950, has a rich history in french football. The current crisis marks a significant turning point for the club, highlighting the impact of ownership on team success and fan engagement. [[1]]
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