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Business Upturn
4 hours ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Why 6th placed Olympique Lyon got relegated to Ligue 2? Here's the story behind it
Olympique Lyon has been relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial debts. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on June 25, 2025, 08:31 IST Olympique Lyonnais — seven-time Ligue 1 champions — have officially been relegated to Ligue 2 despite finishing sixth in the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season. The decision, made by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) — French football's financial watchdog, comes as a crushing blow to the club and its supporters. But how can a team that placed in the top six of the table be sent down a division? Here's the full story behind Lyon's stunning fall from grace. Financial Troubles Dating Back Months Lyon's financial woes were no secret. Back in November, the club was already hit with a provisional relegation by the DNCG due to mounting debts and irregularities in their financial books. The club, once hailed for its solid management and youth development system, found itself tangled in a web of financial instability, driven by overspending, underperforming investments, and questionable management decisions. Despite their solid on-field performances that ultimately saw them finish sixth in Ligue 1, a position that should have guaranteed European football, the DNCG maintained its strict stance. Who Is Behind the Decision? The DNCG is known for taking a no-nonsense approach when it comes to financial oversight in French football. It closely monitors clubs' finances to ensure stability, and can impose sanctions ranging from transfer bans to outright relegation if necessary. Ahmedabad Plane Crash FootballLigue 1Ligue 2LyonOlympique LyonPSGrelegationUEFA Europa League Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
India Today
4 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Olympique Lyon, 7-time French champions, relegated due to financial irregularities
Seven time French champions Olympique Lyon have been relegated from Ligue 1, French football's financial watchdog (DNCG) said on Tuesday, Juune 24, following an audit of the club. Lyon were provisionally demoted by the DNCG in November due to the poor state of their finances and the decision was confirmed on Tuesday after a meeting between club owner John Textor and the club has said that it would appeal the decision immediately. Speaking via a statement, the club criticised the decision and said it had worked closely with the DNCG, satisfying all their requests."Olympique Lyonnais takes note of the incomprehensible decision handed down by the DNCG this evening and confirms that it will appeal immediately," the club said. "With demonstrated funds and sporting success that has earned us a place in European competition two years running, we sincerely fail to understand how an administrative decision could relegate such a great French club." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fabrizio Romano (@fabriziorom)The decision to relegate Lyon comes a day after US businessman Textor sold a 43% stake in English club Crystal to the equity contributions from our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved considerably and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season," the Lyon statement October, Eagle Football Group, led by John Textor, disclosed debts amounting to approximately 422 million ($574.85 million), raising serious concerns about the financial stability of Olympique then, the club has sought to improve its financial standing by selling several players, including Maxence Caqueret to Como and Rayan Cherki to Manchester City. Despite these efforts, Lyon has so far failed to convince the relevant authorities that its financial health has recovered enough to lift existing of the official ruling, the 59-year-old Textor expressed optimism about the club's finances.'You can see from our shareholders' contributions that we've injected new capital—not only to satisfy the DNCG, but also to meet UEFA licensing requirements. And with the recent sale of Crystal Palace, our liquidity has significantly improved,' he told reporters on who won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 2002 and 2008, secured a Europa League berth for next season after finishing sixth in the league. However, if the decision to uphold sanctions remains in place, Stade de Reims—relegated after a playoff defeat to Metz—could take Lyon's place in Ligue 1 next of now, neither Reims nor the French football governing body (LFP) has issued an official comment.- Ends
Leader Live
6 hours ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Lyon relegated to Ligue 2 over financial problems
The seven-time French champions were hit with a provisional relegation back in November after racking up massive debts, and although they have since sold a number of first-team players, French football watchdog the DNCG upheld the relegation following meetings on Tuesday. The decision was announced by the French Football League (LFP) on Tuesday evening. Monaco, Nantes and Paris FC will face no further action. Although Lyon can still appeal against the ruling, the decision to relegate a club that won seven consecutive titles between 2001-02 and 2007-08, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League as recently as 2020, will send shockwaves through French football. The club's president John Textor told L'Equipe last week he was confident the club's financial position had been resolved, having said back in November there was 'no chance' the club would be relegated. Textor is in the process of selling his shares in Premier League club Crystal Palace, who are at risk of being denied their place in the Europa League next season as Lyon have also qualified after finishing sixth in Ligue 1. A sale to Woody Johnson, owner of the NFL's New York Jets, has been agreed but the Premier League is yet to ratify the deal and Johnson must yet pass the Premier League's owners' and directors' test. After receiving the provisional relegation last year, Lyon sold the likes of Said Benrahma, Anthony Lopes and Maxence Caqueret in January, and this summer they have already sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City.
France 24
8 hours ago
- Business
- France 24
Lyon appeal relegation to Ligue 2 by financial regulator
At a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince the regulator (DNCG) to lift the restrictions it had put on the club in November. "Over the past few months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, meeting all of its demands with equity investments exceeding the amounts requested," the club said in a statement." After the meeting, Lyon's president John Textor said he remained confident of avoiding the drop to Ligue 2 for next season, where the club has not played since 1989. "Our liquidity situation has improved considerably," he said. American Textor took over as Lyon's majority owner in December 2022 from long-standing boss Jean-Michel Aulas, who had overseen unprecedented success at the French outfit. Textor, 59, also holds stakes in Brazilian side Botafoga, Belgian club Molenbeek. Earlier this week he sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League outfit Crystal Palace. According to the BBC, they were sold for 190 million pounds to Woody Johnson, the owner of the NFL's New York Jets. Lyon have reduced their salary bill with attacker Alexandre Lacazette and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes released. They have sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como. Textor said his Eagle group has also put 83 million euros into the club. "Thanks to the equity contributions from our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved considerably, and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025-2026 season," said the club statement. 'Sadness' Lyon qualified for next season's Europa League after finishing sixth in the French top-flight. If their relegation is confirmed, they would be replaced in Ligue 1 by Reims. Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008, under Aulas. "It's a terrible blow to all those who love Lyon" Aulas said on X on Tuesday. "For 36 years I made sure that such a situation could not happen. "I gave everything to build a solid, respected, ambitious club that was financially healthy. "Today, it's sadness that dominates. And an immense failure to understand," the 76-year-old added. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles. Lyon are set to begin their pre-season on July 7. © 2025 AFP
North Wales Chronicle
9 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Lyon to appeal against relegation to Ligue 2 over financial problems
The seven-time French champions were hit with a provisional relegation back in November after racking up massive debts, and although they have since sold a number of first-team players, French football watchdog the DNCG upheld the relegation following meetings on Tuesday. The decision was announced by the French Football League (LFP) on Tuesday evening. Monaco, Nantes and Paris FC will face no further action. Lyon quickly announced they would appeal against what the club called an 'incomprehensible decision'. While the decision could yet be overturned, the relegation of a club that won seven consecutive titles between 2001-02 and 2007-08, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League as recently as 2020, will send shockwaves through French football. If the relegation is upheld, Lyon would be replaced in the top flight by Reims, who lost the relegation play-off to Metz. Lyon president John Textor told L'Equipe last week he was confident the club's financial position had been resolved, having said back in November there was 'no chance' the club would be relegated. Textor is in the process of selling his shares in Premier League club Crystal Palace, who are at risk of being denied their place in the Europa League next season as Lyon have also qualified after finishing sixth in Ligue 1. A sale to Woody Johnson, owner of the NFL's New York Jets, has been agreed but the Premier League is yet to ratify the deal and Johnson must yet pass the Premier League's owners' and directors' test. L'Olympique Lyonnais prend acte de la décision incompréhensible rendue par la DNCG ce soir et confirme qu'il fera immédiatement appel 🗞 Le communiqué 👇 — Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) June 24, 2025 After receiving the provisional relegation last year, Lyon sold the likes of Said Benrahma, Anthony Lopes and Maxence Caqueret in January, and this summer they have already sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City. In a statement, Lyon announced they would fight against the ruling. 'Olympique Lyonnais acknowledges the incomprehensible decision handed down by the DNCG this evening and confirms that it will immediately appeal,' the statement said. 'Over the past few months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, meeting all of its demands with equity investments in excess of the amounts requested. 'Thanks to equity contributions from our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved significantly, and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025-26 season. 'With proven funds and sporting success that has earned us a place in European competition two years in a row, we sincerely do not understand how an administrative decision could have relegated such a major French club. 'We will appeal to demonstrate our ability to provide the necessary financial resources to ensure OL's continued presence in Ligue 1.'
