See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Lyon Relegated to Second-Tier Ligue 2 by French Football's Financial Watchdog

RHÔNE, AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES, FRANCE, JUN 24 – Olympique Lyon faces relegation due to debts exceeding €422 million despite player sales and capital injections, with the club immediately appealing the financial watchdog's ruling.

  • Olympique Lyonnais was officially relegated to Ligue 2 on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, by the financial watchdog DNCG following an audit.
  • The relegation resulted from unresolved multimillion-dollar debts and failed attempts to satisfy the DNCG's financial requirements despite provisional demotion last November.
  • The club raised substantial funds including selling players like Rayan Cherki to Manchester City, and owner John Textor sold a large Crystal Palace stake to improve liquidity.
  • Textor highlighted that the club's financial situation has strengthened considerably due to shareholder investments and the transfer of Crystal Palace, but he described the DNCG's ruling as baffling.
  • Lyon plans to file an immediate appeal that could determine if the club retains its place in Ligue 1, while Stade de Reims remains on standby to take their position.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?

260 Articles

The Killeen Daily HeraldThe Killeen Daily Herald
+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Center

Lyon relegated to French soccer's second tier amid ongoing financial problems

Lean Right

Lyon was promoted to League 2 due to financial problems. The presence in Europe League is also at risk.

·Portugal
Read Full Article

French football lives one of its most unexpected and painful chapters. Lyon Olympic, seven times champion of the Ligue 1, has been officially descended into the Second Division by the National Directorate of Control Management (DNCG), an agency responsible for the financial surveillance of clubs in France. The cause: an economic debt that exceeds 586 million dollars.The decision shakes the country and the European football. Lyon, founded in 1950…

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 39% of the sources are Center
39% Center
Factuality

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Record broke the news in on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)

You have read 1 out of your 5 free daily articles.

Join millions of well-informed readers who use Ground to compare coverage, check their news blindspots, and challenge their worldview.