Football Club de Marseille invites you to follow the news of OM's competitors (PSG, Monaco, Lyon, Nice, LOSC, Rennes, etc.). John Textor, owner of Olympique Lyonnais (OL), faces a complex financial situation, exacerbated by the publication of the results for the 2023 financial year.
In the midst of negotiations with potential investors, the president of OL will also have to face a crucial meeting with the DNCG (National Directorate of Management Control) this Friday in Paris. Accompanied by the general manager Laurent Prud'homme, John Textor must convince the body that solid financial measures are in place to ensure the sustainability of OL.
Read: OM: return to favor for this forgotten young talent?
OL, a decisive interview with the DNCG
During this interview, one of the main topics will be the update of TV rights projections. The DNCG had demanded that Ligue 1 clubs maintain stable revenue forecasts, but the drop in TV rights complicates the situation of Lyon's finances. According to the Team, OL management will have to provide concrete guarantees, with a financial contribution estimated between 100 and 200 million euros to reassure the regulatory body. The IPO ofEagle Football Group in New York, planned for the coming months, is seen as crucial to reducing financial debt which grew from €458.4 million to 505,1 M€ in one year.
More than €500M in debt for Eagle group?
In its press release, Eagle Group (owner of OL Groupe) detailed several measures to restore finances. By the end of 2024, the group plans to contribute 75 million euros, coming from equity or from the sale of players from clubs in the Eagle Football Holdings group. Part of this contribution could come from the sale of Crystal Palace shares. In addition, a second contribution of 100 million euros is planned for the beginning of 2025, as well as transfers of players during the January transfer window.
Player sales: an essential but uncertain lever
The sale of high-value players, such as Rayan Cherki or Igor Jesus (from Botafogo), will be a key element in cleaning up the club's finances. These transfers, as well as the sale of Crystal Palace shares, should allow OL to get through the financial crisis. If these funds are not found quickly, the DNCG could apply sanctions, ranging from restrictions on recruitment to more severe measures, such as administrative relegation.
If the club does not panic internally, the concern is palpable among the supporters, following the publication of the accounts. To convince the DNCG and reassure public opinion, John Textor will have to prove that the financial solutions proposed are sufficient to guarantee a stable future for OL.
