A feeling of shock and sadness spread through French football this Tuesday evening as Olympique Lyonnais, a top club from Ligue 1, was moved down to the second division.
The decision came from the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG), France’s financial regulator for football, and was officially confirmed by the French Football League (LFP). This ruling has put one of the nation’s most successful clubs into a difficult situation.
The DNCG’s decision was based on Lyon’s serious money problems, specifically a large debt estimated to be around €175 million. While there had been concerns about the club’s financial health since November 2024, few expected such a harsh outcome for a club with Lyon’s history. The size of the financial issues was too big to overcome, leading to the DNCG’s firm action.
Founded in 1950, Olympique Lyonnais is more than just a football club; it represents high standards in French football. For seven years in a row, from 2002 to 2008, Lyon was dominant in Ligue 1, winning title after title and making its mark in history. Its modern 59,000-seat Groupama Stadium, usually full of excited fans, now stands as a clear reminder of a club facing a very challenging time. Under Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, the team had hoped to bring back past successes, but circumstances seem to have led to a different path.
This demotion is a tough blow for club owner John Textor. Since he took a major share in the club in 2022, Textor had spoken with conviction about his big plans: to bring Lyon back to its former strong position in European football, including regular matches in the important UEFA Champions League.
However, ongoing money troubles, questionable decisions about player transfers, and losses on investments seem to have made the club’s problems worse, resulting in this very unwelcome situation.
Immediately after the decision, Olympique Lyonnais reacted with both surprise and strong opposition. The club released a statement calling the DNCG’s ruling “hard to understand.” They quickly confirmed they would appeal, showing they intend to fight the decision.
“We strongly disagree with the conclusions made and will be filing an appeal right away,” the club stated. “We believe this ruling does not show the financial changes that are already happening.” It is a fight for the club’s future, not just its money, but for what it stands for.
