Lyon relegated due to financial issues | OneFootball

Seven-time French champions Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 due to ongoing financial troubles, the French Professional League (LFP) confirmed on Tuesday.

The decision came after club officials, including American owner John Textor, met with French football’s financial governing body, the DNCG, in an attempt to demonstrate that their financial situation had improved. However, they failed to convince the governing body.

Back in October, Textor’s Eagle Football Group, which owns a 77% stake in Lyon, revealed debts totalling £422 million, raising concerns over the club’s financial sustainability.

Lyon have already announced their intention to appeal the decision, calling it “incomprehensible” in a strongly worded statement.

Though the decision isn't final and could still be reversed on appeal, the drop would mark a dramatic fall from grace for a club that dominated French football in the 2000s and reached the Champions League semi-finals as recently as 2020.

Should the relegation stand, Reims, who were beaten by Metz in the relegation play-off, would take Lyon’s place in Ligue 1 next season.