Olympique Lyonnais set for relegation from Ligue 1 due to financial woes
The decision of the DNCG, which had interviewed the club in the afternoon on Friday, to enact Lyon's "provisional demotion at the end of the current sporting season" was reported in a statement from the French professional football league body (LFP).
American John Textor, the club's owner, nevertheless assured the public on Friday afternoon that he was "not at all worried about the future" of the company that oversees the club after his hearing in Paris.
"I'm confident in our figures," Textor said, also stating that they were "going to bring in several hundred million in cash over the next few months", according to statements sent to AFP by the club.
The businessman, who bought Lyon from Jean-Michel Aulas in 2023, said the LFP body had not looked at the "complete picture" of parent company Eagle Football Holdings, which also owns clubs Botafogo in Brazil and Molenbeek in Belgium.
Last week, the LFP's French arm published a set of results that left supporters in a state of doubt. Despite a reduction in its net losses, Eagle Football Group's net cash position remains at €463.8 million.
Lyon have reportedly racked up debts worth up to €500 million (£417.4 million).
The company is counting on cash injections from Botafogo and Molenbeek in particular to clear the books, but the auditors have indicated that they may not certify the accounts, as they do not believe they have sufficient information to judge whether these assumptions are "reasonable."
"The local auditors only looked at the French football club and did not consider the hundreds of millions of dollars that will come from the various parts of our organisation," lamented John Textor.
"We are not at all worried about our future."
To reassure Lyon fans, the American also assured them that the club would not be selling off its best players, as its "goal is to be selected in the Champions League this year."
"We earn around €90 million a year from the sale of players," he said. "That will continue, but don't worry, it won't be your favourite player, the best player if we don't have someone to replace him and play even better."
"I'm confident in our figures, but I'm never confident in the way a regulatory body sees things," he admitted, however, referring to "pressure" from his "enemies" including "a big club linked to Qatar".
In July 2023, the DNCG had already taken measures to control the wage bill and transfer fees. This situation forced the Rhone club to carry out a summer recruitment drive, which was carried out on the cheap and ultimately failed.
Lyon are currently fifth in Ligue 1.
