Latest news with #LesGones
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
How Lyon's shock relegation will affect Crystal Palace's Europa League hopes with D-Day fast approaching
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CRYSTAL PALACE could be cleared to play their first European campaign this week - as a direct consequence of Lyon's shock relegation in France. Uefa competitions chiefs will meet in Nyon on Friday to make a final decision on Palace's eligibility to play in the Europa League. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Crystal Palace are hoping to play in the Europa League after winning the FA Cup Credit: Getty 4 Lyon were relegated to the second tier by French football authorities Credit: Getty But the barriers that could have denied the Eagles their opportunity to make club history have been significantly eased by the decision of French football's financial regulator to demote Les Gones over the club's soaring debts. Under Uefa regulations, clubs that are part of a shared ownership group cannot compete in the same competition. Lyon are part of the Eagle Football group owned by US businessman John Textor, who had a 44.9 per cent stake in Palace despite being kept at arms length by Steve Parish and Americans Josh Harris and Dave Blitzer. Despite his limited role at Selhurst Park, Uefa were concerned that Textor's ownership stake breached those regulations. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL AD ENOUGH Former England star Adam Lallana announces retirement at 37 in emotional post And while Palace qualified for the Europa League for their FA Cup win over Manchester City, Lyon's sixth-placed finish in Ligue 1 gave them priority. However, the decision by the French authorities - Lyon announced they would appeal - is understood to be likely to ease Palace's path. Assuming the French Football Federation now withdraws its nomination of Lyon - all teams competing in Europe must be put forward officially by their national association - Nyon insiders expect the Club Financial Control Body will now rule in Palace's favour. A decision could come immediately after the meeting although Eagles fans may have to wait until the start of next week before confirmation as the Palace situation is among a number of decisions that are on the agenda. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS It is understood that the official Uefa deadline for entry will be next week, following the eligibility rulings by the panel. But if Lyon were to win their appeal after being excluded from the official entry list, Nyon chiefs anticipate they are likely to apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to be reinstated. Crystal Palace and Lyon chief John Textor wears cowboy hat in sarcastic response to rival That would probably be at the expense of Strasbourg, part of the BlueCo group which owns Chelsea and who finished seventh in Ligue 1 and are expected to be nominated in Lyon's place. However, insiders anticipate that Palace would not be retrospectively prohibited from competing after the CFCB has cleared their entry. The whole saga, though, has only shed further light on the issues multi-club ownership is causing to Uefa. Manchester United owners Ineos parked their shares in French side Nice in a blind trust to allow both to play in the Europa League last season. And Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stepped back from any official role at the City Ground in April, to meet the Uefa requirements, when he hoped the East Midlanders would qualify for the Champions League alongside Greek side Olympiacos. Palace, though, did not make any changes to the ownership structure ahead of the Uefa deadline for next season - a situation complicated by Blitzer's ownership of Danish side Brondby, who qualified for the Conference League. Earlier this week, Textor announced he had sold his Palace shares to New York Jets owner and former US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson in a £190m deal. That sale still has to be cleared by the Premier League, although it is not expected to be held up. Lyon cited that deal as part of their official response to relegation - even if there was a danger that the agreement had been signed too late to allay Uefa's concerns about Textor's Palace role. The club said: 'Thanks to… the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved significantly, and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season. "With so much cash liquidity demonstrated, and sporting success which has earned European competition in two consecutive years, we sincerely do not understand how one administrative decision could relegate such a great French club.' 4 The confusion was around John Textor's ownership of both Lyon and Palace - until he sold his Eagles shares Credit: Getty
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah suffers ACL rupture
Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah suffers ACL rupture Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah (21) is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ACL rupture in his left knee, the Ligue 1 club has confirmed. The Ghana international had to pull out of Saturday's Ligue 1 clash between Lille and Lyon only five minutes in after he and Gabriel Gudmundsson vied for the ball. Les Gones eventually defeated Les Dogues 2-1 but Lyon's medical staff feared Nuamah's injury would be serious. Unfortunately, it proved to be true. 'OL gives its full support to Ernest and will do everything possible to enable him to return in the best possible conditions', the statement reads. Given the seriousness of Nuamah's injury, the 21-year-old is expected to miss the first months of the 2025-2026 season. Lyon host Manchester United this Thursday in the Europa League quarter-finals. Lyon winger Malick Fofana is also set to miss the first leg. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lyon's Georges Mikautadze turns down AS Roma move
Things are looking on the up for Georges Mikautadze (24) at Olympique Lyonnais after what was a rocky start to life with Les Gones. After 27 appearances so far with OL, the Georgian has scored eight goals and has registered one assist since joining the club from his home region. Yet, this hasn't stopped attempts to sign the player. After rejecting Galatasaray, the Euro 2024 joint-top scorer has also reportedly batted away interested from Serie A side AS Roma – according to a report from . Reports from Italy and Foot Mercato confirmed that Roma were interested in the player, yet sources contact by FM confirmed that Mikautadze is not interested in a move. The 24-year-old joined Olympique Lyonnais from FC Metz in the summer, where he returned last season after a short and unsuccessful stint with Dutch giants AFC Ajax. With Les Grenats he was Ligue 2's player of the season in the 2022-2023 campaign, scoring 26 goals in 45 games in Lorraine before his move to the Eredivisie. When he rejoined Metz later last season, he scored a further 12 goals in just 19 appearances – yet it wasn't enough for Metz to avoid the drop as they were relegated via the play-offs at the expense of Saint-Étienne's promotion to the top tier. He joined Les Gones on a permanent €18m deal after last summer's European Championships. The Georgian scored three times in Germany at Euro 2024 to join Cody Gakpo, Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Dani Olmo, Ivan Schranz as the top scorers of the tournament. Lyon have recently parted ways with manager Pierre Sage, with Mikautadze posting a heart-felt tribute to his former coach on X. GFFN | George Boxall
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nemanja Matić open to Lyon exit following Pierre Sage's dismissal
Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matić (36) would be open to a last-minute Lyon exit following the dismissal of head coach Pierre Sage, according to a report this Tuesday from . The shock departure of the 45-year-old head coach and his expected replacement by former Lille and Milan manager Paulo Fonseca could have unintended consequences for Lyon owner and president John Textor. The outlet understands that Matić turned down several opportunities to leave Les Gones as he was keen to pursue his career under the tutelage of Sage. Monday's dismissal of Sage, who endeared himself to the majority of Lyon players for the manner he took them to a relegation battle to the heights of the Europa League, has been a bitter blow for Matić. The former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder joined Les Gones last winter after forcing a move out of Ligue 1 rivals Rennes. Matić was a regular starter under Sage and should he leave, Lyon would not be able to replace him as Les Gones have been hit with a transfer ban by the DNCG – French football's financial watchdog. Matić remains tied with OL with a contract set to expire in 2026. Serie A side Como have already shown an interest in acquiring him. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
