Lyon relegation overturned, Ligue 1 status confirmed

Lyon will not play in Ligue 2 next season after the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) overturned the original decision to relegate them due to concerns around the club’s financial position.

The DNCG ruled last month that Les Gones would be demoted due to a debt of €541 million and a crippling wage bill. However, the seven-time Ligue 1 champions appealed successfully having agreed to work within specific wage parameters to ensure their position improves.

They have also sold France playmaker Rayan Cherki to Manchester City for £34m and released high earners Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Lopes.

Former club president John Textor resigned from the board, although the club is still owned by his Eagle Football Group (EFG). The EFG also has a stake in Crystal Palace, although that is currently being sold to the owner of the New York Jets, Woody Johnson.

Nous restons en Ligue 1 🔴🔵

L’Olympique Lyonnais se félicite de la décision, rendue ce jour par la DNCG, de maintenir le Club en Ligue 1.

— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) July 9, 2025

Relief for Lyon

A Lyon statement read: “Olympique Lyonnais welcomes the decision, made today by the DNCG, to keep the club in Ligue 1. OL thanks the Appeals Committee for recognising the ambition of the new management of the club, which is determined to ensure serious management in the future.

“The new management, supported by the commitment and dedication of our shareholders and lenders, is extremely grateful for all the support received both inside and outside the club, especially from its supporters, collaborators, players, partners and elected officials.

“Today’s decision is the first step to restore confidence in Olympique Lyonnais. We can now focus our attention on sporting objectives, fully preparing for next season.”

Uncertainty now surrounds Palace’s Europa League spot

The news is less positive for FA Cup winners Palace, though, with their place in the Europa League now in jeopardy due to UEFA’s perceived breach of multi-club ownership rules.

Lyon reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2010 and 2019 and the Europa League final four in 2016/17.

They have not played in Ligue 2 since winning the second-tier title for a third time in 1988/89.

OL’s squad members appeared to be in a jovial mood as they returned for pre-season training on Monday ahead of the start of their Ligue 1 schedule against Lens on the weekend of August 17.

Georges Mikautadze was among the stars to share clips and photos from the session on social media, having scored 17 goals in all competitions last season to make the Georgia forward Lyon’s second-top scorer behind Lacazette, who has since joined Saudi club Neom on a free transfer.

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