Latest news with #OlympiqueLyonnais
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Now relegated to Ligue 2, Lyon secure Uefa backing for Europe spot if demotion overturned
LYON, June 28 — Lyon have agreed a financial sustainability procedure with UEFA which will allow them to play in Europe next season if they win their appeal against relegation to the French second division, the club said on yesterday. On Tuesday, French football's financial watchdog (DNCG) demoted the club. Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and qualified for the Europa League, said at once they would appeal. On Friday, they said that UEFA was prepared to accept them into continental competition. 'Olympique Lyonnais completed the financial sustainability procedure and signed an agreement with the UEFA Club financial control body,' the club said on their website. 'The club could therefore participate in next season's Europa League, subject to a favourable outcome of the appeal of the DNCG decision.' A source close to the discussions between the club and the governing body of European football added that Lyon would be subject to a 12.5-million-euro ($14.6 million) fine with a suspended amount of 37.5 million euros, to be lifted if the club achieves its financial targets. After the DNCG initially ruled in November that Lyon would be relegated at the the end of the season, UEFA began monitoring the club. On May 5, UEFA fined Lyon 200,000 euros ($234,400) for unpaid bills to other clubs, to employees, and to the tax and social security authorities. After the DNCG ruling confirmed its initial decision, the club said they had met 'all of its demands'. While they were unable to convince the French watchdog, UEFA has ruled Lyon could play in Europe. Lyon will have seven days to appeal from the date they are officially notified of the DNCG's ruling. The club said Friday they had not yet received the notification. — AFP
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Nantes defender Nicolas Pallois set to join Reims
FC Nantes confirmed on Thursday that Nicolas Pallois (37) would be leaving the club. The defender leaves the club after eight years of service and 243 matches. However, the veteran has not taken long to find a new club. The Frenchman is set to sign for Stade de Reims, according to a report from L'Équipe. He is expected to sign a one-year deal that would include the option to extend for a further year. Pallois joins a club in the lurch. Reims have already passed their meeting with the DNCG, outlining their budget for the upcoming season. Advertisement Les Stadistes were relegated to Ligue 2 following a defeat to FC Metz in the relegation play-offs. However, they may be promoted back to Ligue 1 immediately, pending the outcome of Olympique Lyonnais' appeal against their administrative relegation. Pallois, therefore, looks almost certain to be at Reims next season. Whether that will be in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2 is another question entirely. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG to start title defense at Nantes as Ligue 1 includes Lyon in opening day fixtures
Ligue 1 have revealed the opening fixtures of the 2025-2026 season. Ligue 1 champions PSG have been elected to start their title defense at Nantes' Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday, August 17. However, Les Parisiens have reportedly requested that their first game of the Ligue 1 season be postponed as their extended 2024-2025 campaign continues to drag on. PSG will play Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the 2025 Club World Cup last-16 on Sunday Ligue 1 runners-up Olympique de Marseille are also set to start the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 campaign away in Brittany. Roberto De Zerbi's Olympiens will face Habib Beye's Rennes. Promoted Ligue 2 sides Paris FC, FC Metz and FC Lorient will respectively lock horns with Angers, Strasbourg and Auxerre. Advertisement Olympique Lyonnais, whose Ligue 2 relegation has been confirmed by the DNCG on Tuesday, have been included in the opening fixtures. Should their appeal be successful, Les Gones will pay a visit to Lens, who are now coached by former OL manager Pierre Sage. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Seven-times French Champions Lyon Relegated to Ligue 2
Olympique Lyonnais ( have been relegated to Ligue 2, French football's financial watchdog (DNCG) said on Tuesday following an audit of the club, which said it would appeal the decision immediately. Lyon were provisionally demoted by the DNCG in November due to the poor state of their finances and the decision was confirmed on Tuesday after a meeting between club owner John Textor and the DNCG. The club criticised the decision in a statement on Tuesday and said it had worked closely with the DNCG, satisfying all their requests. "Olympique Lyonnais takes note of the incomprehensible decision handed down by the DNCG this evening and confirms that it will appeal immediately," the club said, Reuters reported. "With demonstrated funds and sporting success that has earned us a place in European competition two years running, we sincerely fail to understand how an administrative decision could relegate such a great French club." The decision to relegate Lyon comes a day after US businessman Textor sold a 43% stake in English club Crystal Palace. "Thanks to the equity contributions from our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved considerably and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season," the Lyon statement added. In October, Textor's Eagle Football Group revealed debts totalling around 422 million pounds ($574.85 million), raising concerns about the French club's financial stability. Since then, Lyon have raised funds by offloading several players, including Maxence Caqueret to Como and Rayan Cherki to Manchester City. The club, however, have been unable to convince the authorities that their financial situation has improved enough to have the sanctions lifted. The 59-year-old Textor gave a positive assessment of their financial position prior to the decision being announced. "You can see from the contributions of our shareholders, we have invested new capital, not only for the DNCG, but also for our UEFA licensing process. Not to mention the good news of the sale of Crystal Palace. Our liquidity situation has improved considerably," he told reporters earlier on Tuesday. Lyon, who were crowned French Champions seven times between 2002 and 2008, qualified for next season's Europa League following a sixth-placed finish in Ligue 1. Should the decision stand, Stade de Reims, who were demoted from Ligue 1 in the relegation playoffs after losing to Metz, will take Lyon's spot next season in the French top tier.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Reims faced with unique problem following Lyon's relegation
Stade de Reims have been given a lifeline back into Ligue 1 following the DNCG's decision to relegate Olympique Lyonnais to Ligue 2 due to financial mismanagement. As the highest finishing relegated team, they would stand to benefit if Lyon's relegation is upheld. And while this sounds like an ideal situation for the Champagne club, RMC Sport reports that there are serious headaches attached to remaining in the top flight. Namely, Reims have already been before the DNCG and presented their budget for the upcoming season. Advertisement At a minimum, the drop down to the second tier has seen Reims slash their previous budget (estimated to be €60 million) in half, with the club expected to have presented a budget of €25-30 million to the watchdog. Reims have achieved this by reducing season ticket prices and lowering their financial demands from sponsors. They have also shaped their recruitment around bringing in players who would help them earn promotion back to Ligue 1. If Lyon fail their appeals and are relegated, Reims will have to go before the DNCG and present a new budget for operating in Ligue 1. As RMC Sports states, it's not a simple task to reverse their course and increase their budget. GFFN | Nick Hartland
