The National Directorate of Control and Management of French football has decided to relegate Olympique Lyon after it failed to solve its financial problems. The club led by John Textor will appeal the decision.
A bombshell in French football. Olympique Lyon did not convince the National Directorate of Control and Management (DNCG) at its hearing on Tuesday and has been officially relegated to Ligue 2.
Both John Textor, owner of the club, and Mickael Gerlinger, sporting director, were interviewed on Tuesday by the DNCG in an attempt to dismiss the threat of administrative relegation that has hung over the French club since November 15, 2024.
Despite the explanations of the two representatives of Olympique de Lyon, the body has decided to confirm the relegation of the Rhone club to Ligue 2, although it can still appeal its decision.
On November 15th, when OL’s provisional relegation was announced, the French club had a debt of 150 million euros, a figure that the club has tried to reduce but which was insufficient to stop the relegation to Ligue 2.
Four days ago, John Textor, after the victory of Botafogo – also his club – against PSG, was confident in the court’s decision. “We have made several investments in recent weeks. Everything is going well financially,” he told ‘L’Equipe’.
