Lyon have been officially relegated to France’s Ligue 2 following a decision by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), which cited the club’s ongoing financial difficulties.
Despite last-minute efforts to avert the demotion, the administrative body confirmed the drop to the second tier on Tuesday.
Club president John Textor and director of football Mickael Gerlinger met with DNCG officials in a final attempt to provide financial assurances and avoid relegation.
This meeting followed an earlier warning issued by the DNCG on November 15th, which indicated that the club’s future in Ligue 1 was in jeopardy unless it resolved its debt burden.
At that time, Lyon had been given until the end of the season to comply with financial requirements, with the DNCG highlighting a staggering debt of €175 million (£149 million) as the critical issue.
Textor, speaking during the earlier stages of the DNCG investigation, had expressed optimism: “in the figures” and assured stakeholders that the club would “make several hundred million euros in the coming months.”
However, despite this public confidence, Lyon failed to meet the regulatory body’s expectations.
The DNCG proceeded with the enforcement of the relegation, leaving Paulo Fonseca’s team facing a major setback as they prepare for life in Ligue 2.
The club retains the right to appeal the decision, but for now, its position in the French football hierarchy has taken a serious hit.
