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New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Lyon stave off relegation after successful appeal
PARIS: Seven-time French champions Lyon have kept their Ligue 1 place after winning an appeal against relegation, the French Football Federation (FFF) said today. Last month, Lyon were relegated to the second-tier Ligue 2 by French football's financial watchdog, who had placed the club under budgetary restrictions in November. American businesswoman Michele Kang then took over as club president from compatriot John Textor. The FFF said Lyon would have to cut their wage bill and transfer budget for the upcoming campaign. "Lyon would like to thank the appeal commission after it recognised the ambition of the new club management," the club said in a statement. "Today's decision constitutes the first step of re-establishing trust in Lyon." Two weeks ago, Textor said he would take a step back from the day-to-day running of the club. The second-largest shareholder at the club behind Textor, Kang was already president of the Lyon women's team. "I'm actually very proud of what we have accomplished to reach this decision, and I can honestly say that we gave everything we have," said Kang. "This was really a collective mission and a goal to save the club... and continue its legacy," she added. "We are going to do everything in our power to ensure that we're going to leave this club a little better than the way we found it." Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League and will be allowed to play in that competition after the successful appeal, but they had already agreed to pay UEFA a fine. Textor took over as Lyon's majority owner in December 2022 from long-standing boss Jean-Michel Aulas, who had overseen unprecedented success at the French outfit. Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008, under Aulas. "Michele Kang has been able to provide, with courage, the guarantees needed to preserve the future of the club," Aulas said on social media. "But the most difficult part is to come. A new period is underway, one of reconstruction." "I will remain committed, alongside Michele Kang and all those who believe in the strength of Lyon's ambition," the 76-year-old Frenchman added. Textor, 59, also holds stakes in Brazilian side Botafogo and Belgian club Molenbeek. He sold his 43 per cent stake in Premier League side Crystal Palace in mid-June as he tried to balance the books at Lyon. Lyon have reduced their salary bill with attacker Alexandre Lacazette and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes released. They have sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como. Textor said his Eagle group has also put €83 million (RM414 million) into the club. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles. Lyon began their pre-season on Monday. Their first game of the Ligue 1 season is a trip to Lens on the weekend of Aug 15-17. - AFP
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Lyon Stave Off Ligue 1 Relegation After Successful Appeal
Seven-time French champions Lyon have kept their Ligue 1 place after winning their appeal against relegation, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Wednesday. Last month, Lyon were relegated to the second-tier Ligue 2 by French football's financial watchdog, who had placed the club under budgetary restrictions in November. American businesswoman Michele Kang then took over as club president from compatriot John Textor. The FFF said Lyon would have to cut its wage bill and transfer budget for the upcoming campaign. "Lyon would like to thank the appeal commission after it recognised the ambition of the new management of the club," the club said in a statement. "Today's decision constitutes the first step of re-establishing trust in Lyon." Two weeks ago, Textor said he would take a step back from the day-to-day running of the club. The second-largest shareholder at the club behind Textor, Kang was already president of the Lyon women's team. Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League and will be allowed to play in that competition after the successful appeal, but thed had already agreed to pay UEFA a fine. Textor took over as Lyon's majority owner in December 2022 from long-standing boss Jean-Michel Aulas, who had overseen unprecedented success at the French outfit. Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008, under Aulas. Textor, 59, also holds stakes in Brazilian side Botafoga and Belgian club Molenbeek. He sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in mid-June as he tried to balance the books at Lyon. Lyon have reduced their salary bill with attacker Alexandre Lacazette and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes released. They have sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como. Textor said his Eagle group has also put 83 million euros (97 million dollars) into the club. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles. Lyon began their pre-season on Monday. Their first game of the Ligue 1 season a trip to Lens on the weekend of August 15-17. eba/iwd/pi/pb
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lyon stave off relegation after successful appeal
Lyon last played in the second-tier in 1989 (Rémy GABALDA) Seven-time French champions Lyon have kept their Ligue 1 place after winning their appeal against relegation, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Wednesday. Last month, Lyon were relegated to the second-tier Ligue 2 by French football's financial watchdog, who had placed the club under budgetary restrictions in November. Advertisement American businesswoman Michele Kang then took over as club president from compatriot John Textor. The FFF said Lyon would have to cut its wage bill and transfer budget for the upcoming campaign. "Lyon would like to thank the appeal commission after it recognised the ambition of the new management of the club," the club said in a statement. "Today's decision constitutes the first step of re-establishing trust in Lyon." Two weeks ago, Textor said he would take a step back from the day-to-day running of the club. The second-largest shareholder at the club behind Textor, Kang was already president of the Lyon women's team. Advertisement Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League and will be allowed to play in that competition after the successful appeal, but thed had already agreed to pay UEFA a fine. Textor took over as Lyon's majority owner in December 2022 from long-standing boss Jean-Michel Aulas, who had overseen unprecedented success at the French outfit. Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008, under Aulas. Textor, 59, also holds stakes in Brazilian side Botafoga and Belgian club Molenbeek. He sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in mid-June as he tried to balance the books at Lyon. Advertisement Lyon have reduced their salary bill with attacker Alexandre Lacazette and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes released. They have sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como. Textor said his Eagle group has also put 83 million euros (97 million dollars) into the club. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles. Lyon began their pre-season on Monday. Their first game of the Ligue 1 season a trip to Lens on the weekend of August 15-17. eba/iwd/pi/pb
CAF
09-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON - DR Congo: Hervé Happy's Strategic Approach
Hervé Happy is the new head coach of the Leopards Women's team He promotes a three-pronged management style: combining authority, a paternal posture, and active listening He has travelled across Africa and Europe to build a balanced squad When Hervé Happy talks about football, he doesn't just string words together — he builds. Word by word, look by look, connection by connection. The new head coach of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's women's national team has a name that sounds like a promise, but in his world, neither luck nor euphoria sets the pace. At 47, Happy understands the weight of responsibility. One call from Kinshasa changed everything: a clear and ambitious proposal — to take charge of the DR Congo women's national team just weeks before the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set for July 5–26 in Morocco. The Cameroonian-born coach didn't hesitate. 'It's an honour, but more importantly, it's a mission,' he says calmly — a contrast to the urgency of the moment. Both a field man and an analyst, he's not venturing into unknown territory. As a technical advisor for the French Football Federation, stationed for several years at the Paris League, he led scouting and youth training programs. His method — built on high standards and knowledge-sharing — earned him the respect of the FFF's technical staff. Across Africa, he has also worked with several federations as a consultant and trainer. This dual African-European experience shapes a rare profile. DR Congo hasn't recruited a flashy name; they've chosen a builder. To assemble a solid team for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Happy got to work immediately. He analyzed match footage, launched talent scouting in Europe, conducted an initial training camp in Tanzania, and carried out several scouting missions in Lubumbashi. In a tough group — Morocco, Zambia, Senegal — he isn't looking for excuses, but for solutions. What was your first reaction when FECOFA contacted you to lead the women's national team? Hervé Happy: It's always a great pleasure. Leading a national team is an honour. And in women's football, it's a very interesting challenge. You have to build, mentor, and help players progress. That's what motivates me. How would you describe your management style? I'd say it's hybrid. You have to be authoritative when necessary, hands-on when needed, and sometimes take a more paternal approach. I have two grown daughters, so I understand what it means to be both demanding and attentive. It's about balancing those three styles at the right time. Your first impressions during the Tanzania camp? I already knew the group. I'd seen a lot of the players in Europe, watched many of their games. But it's always better to have them in a training camp, to see them live. That's when you see their attitudes, team spirit, and group dynamics. It's very enriching. What did you tell the players at your first meeting? I told them it's a joy to be here, to play football. First and foremost, football should be a pleasure. Yes, there's a competition, but I want them to approach each session with enthusiasm. This first camp, and the next, are for evaluating everyone. We'll then select 21 players and 3 goalkeepers for the WAFCON. DR Congo is in a tough group with Morocco, Zambia, and Senegal. Your thoughts? If a team qualifies for AFCON, it means they're good. I take every opponent very seriously. Morocco will have home advantage, Zambia is always tough to handle, and Senegal is progressing rapidly. We're preparing one match at a time, with discipline. What are the three core values you want to instil in this group? First, discipline — in behaviour, both on and off the field. Second, humility — always. And third, strong character. You need heart to turn situations around. We saw it with the men's CAF Champions League — often it's the drive that makes the difference. What would you say to a young girl playing football in Kinshasa or Goma? I'd tell her to keep playing! But also to join a club. Football should be about enjoyment first. At that age, we're not talking competition. They need to discover the game and play freely. Let them have fun without pressure. Just last night, we passed by a beach and saw kids playing beach soccer. That kind of spontaneous football teaches a lot too.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bundesliga star duo ruled out of U21 Euros
Two French Bundesliga players have been ruled out of the upcoming U21 European Championship. The French Football Federation confirmed on Monday that Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké has withdrawn from the squad due to back problems. Advertisement VfB Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot will also miss the tournament, having pulled out for family reasons. Millot may have already played his final game for Stuttgart. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer move and reportedly has a release clause in the region of €18-20 million.
