Olympique Lyonnais Relegated to Ligue 2 Following Financial Sanctions
Olympique Lyonnais faces relegation to Ligue 2 following a DNCG ruling on financial irregularities.
Key Points
- • Olympique Lyonnais relegated to Ligue 2 due to lack of financial guarantees.
- • The club is appealing the DNCG decision, expressing surprise.
- • Previous optimism from club president John Textor contrasts with the shock ruling.
- • If upheld, Stade de Reims will be promoted to Ligue 1.
In a shocking turn of events, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has been relegated to Ligue 2 due to insufficient financial guarantees, as decreed by the DNCG, the regulatory body overseeing financial ethics in French football. The news, which broke on June 25, 2025, marks a significant milestone for a club that has not experienced relegation since 1989.
The decision took club officials by surprise, prompting an immediate response from OL, which announced plans to appeal the ruling. Club president John Textor had previously expressed optimism about the financial viability of the team, citing ongoing measures that included player departures and the sale of shares in Crystal Palace, an English Premier League team he owns. However, the ruling contradicted these expectations, leading Textor to describe the outcome as unexpected and difficult to understand.
Former OL president Jean-Michel Aulas also voiced his shock over the decision, calling it "incomprehensible" given the club’s efforts to rectify its financial standing. The implications of the ruling are significant; should the appeal fail, Stade de Reims will secure a place in Ligue 1 for the upcoming season, marking a notable shift in the league’s roster.
The DNCG's actions underline the increasing scrutiny of financial management within professional football clubs in France, especially in light of recent issues faced by several teams in the league. The outcome of Olympique Lyonnais’s appeal will be closely monitored by fans and football officials alike, as it not only affects the club's future but also the competitive landscape of the top two leagues in French football.