Rescue by calling
Olympique Lyon prevents forced relegation from Ligue 1
07.07.2025 – 4:33 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Olympique Lyon will also play in the Ligue 1 in the coming season: The appointment of the traditional association against the forced relegation was successful.
Olympique Lyon will also compete in Ligue 1 in the coming season. The Appeals Commission of the National Financial Control Instance DNCG has lifted the initially imposed descent. The French Football Association FFF announced the decision on Wednesday afternoon.
Previously, Lyon had been downgraded to Ligue 2 on June 24 for violations of financial requirements. A first attempt to undo the measure had failed. Now the objection was successful: the committee recognized that the club was reorganized economically under the new leadership.
According to Olympique Lyon, Management around Michele Kang and Michael Gerlinger convinced the Commission that sufficient financial resources are available for the 2025/26 season. The association spoke in a message from one step towards the future: “Ol thanks the appeal committee for the recognition of the ambitions of the new club management, which is determined to ensure a responsible management in the future.”
However, the decision does not remain without any conditions: the DNCG called for stricter control of the salary structure and transfer expenses. This is to ensure that the club adheres to the economic regulations permanently.
The judgment also has side effects at European level. For Crystal Palace-most recently English FA-Cup winner-the constellation could have followed. The Londoners, who, like Lyon, have recently been controlled by the US investor John Textor, are under observation of the UEFA. Due to the rules for the so-called “Multi-Club Ownership”, Palace is threatened with exclusion from the Europa League. Textor has now withdrawn from Palace, a decision by the European Football Association is still pending.