The DNCG pronounces a demotion as a precautionary measure against OL

The moments of uncertainty experienced by OL supporters in recent months must bring back very bad memories to those of a South-West club, relegated to N2 last summer, in even more violent proportions. In the sights of the DNCG for several months, OL had an appointment this Friday before the financial policeman of French Football for their mid-season interview. An interview during which John Textor would have to be convincing to ensure that the club's accounts in the red were only temporary.

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In recent days, Eagle Group, the holding company of OL boss John Textor, had in fact made its financial statements public via a press release announcing “ contributions of €75 million by the end of December 2024 in the form of equity and/or proceeds from the sale of players held by clubs in the Eagle Football Holdings group ” as well as ” the contribution of a maximum amount of €100 million at the start of 2025 from Eagle Football Holdings » and the “ completion of player transfers during the January 2025 transfer window. »

A demotion as a precautionary measure

As explicitly indicated, Lyon should go through the sale of players this winter to improve its financial situation, and come into compliance with the DNCG. Cherki's name was mentioned in recent days by the newspaper The Teamjust like that of Igor Jesus, Brazilian international from Botafogo (another club in the Eagle galaxy) with a significant market value, and who could help replenish the coffers. But due to lack of certainty at the moment, the DNCG took a radical decision by pronouncing a precautionary relegation of OL at the end of the season.

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“As part of the review of the situation of clubs for the 2024-2025 sporting season, the Professional Club Control Commission has taken the following decisions in application of article 11 of the DNCG Regulations: Olympique Lyonnais, management of the payroll and ban on recruiting. Demotion as a precautionary measure at the end of the current sporting season”indicates the DNCG press release. This afternoon, John Textor was rather vehement during the press conference following his interview: «I am confident in our numbers. I can never be confident in how a regulator views these things (…) I believe the DNCG is independent of some of the pressures you see. But we have a lot of enemies, you know, on the board of directors, in the league, a big club in Qatar”*, he said. He could still make enemies if OL's situation does not improve. He will obviously be invited to be more transparent tomorrow, during the new planned press briefing.