This is a real earthquake for French football. This Tuesday evening, June 24, John Textor and director of football Michael Gerlinger certainly defended Lyon's case before the DNCG, but the financial watchdog confirmed the administrative demotion ordered as a precautionary measure on November 15, 2024, under Article 11 of its regulations. The body deemed the guarantees presented insufficient despite repeated assurances from the American owner, meaning Olympique Lyonnais has officially been sent to Ligue 2—a first since 1989.
In a statement released immediately afterward, the Rhône club said it "acknowledged an incomprehensible decision" and announced an immediate appeal, while the prospect of Stade de Reims being relegated to Ligue 1 already loomed over the summer. Before that, however, OL was able to count on some unexpected support. Indeed, despite generally strained relations between John Textor and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the capital club decided to help Lyon by paying the full cost of Bradley Barcola's transfer. A strong gesture that ultimately proved insufficient.
PSG paid the full amount for Bradley Barcola's transfer
As reported by ParisTeam and FranceInfo , and confirmed this Thursday by RMC Sport , the new European champions have thus come to the aid of OL thanks to what is called "factoring", namely paying cash in advance. As a reminder, Barcola had joined the City of Light in the summer of 2023 as part of an operation estimated at 45 million euros (+ 5 million euros). Instead of spreading the payment of this transfer over several seasons - which PSG was entirely within its rights to do - the management of the Rouge et Bleu finally paid the entire transfer.
A strong move that allowed OL to improve its accounts with the DNCG. However, the club, chaired by John Textor, was ultimately sanctioned with administrative relegation and is now taking action before appearing before the financial watchdog's appeals committee. As a reminder, if the first instance decision is upheld, Olympique Lyonnais will then be able to appear before the CNOSF and then the FFF's Executive Committee. One thing is certain: Paris will have done everything possible to save one of France's biggest clubs.
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