Lyon handed provisional relegation from Ligue 1, transfer ban confirmed for John Textor-owned club amid financial woes

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Olympique Lyonnais have been handed a provisional relegation from Ligue 1 due to their financial situation, which has seen the club's debts reportedly rise from €458 million to €508 million. The club are owned by John Textor and his Eagle Football Holdings group, which also has a 45% stake in Premier League side Crystal Palace.

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Olympique Lyonnais have been handed a provisional Ligue 1 relegation by the DNCG, who oversee the finances of clubs in France, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has confirmed.

Lyon currently sit fifth in the French top flight after 11 games, but could face relegation to Ligue 2 regardless of their standing.

LFP have also stated the club have been handed a transfer ban with their payroll under supervision after the Professional Club Control Commission undertook a review of several French clubs.

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Lyon and their owner John Textor, chairman of the Eagle Football group, were due to appear before the DNCG on Friday morning, according to a report by L'Equipe.

And the LFP confirmed Lyon will be subjected to "supervision of the payroll and ban on recruiting," alongside "demotion as a precautionary measure at the end of the current sports season."

Textor also owns a 45% stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace, as well as chunks in Belgian club RWD Molenbeek and Brazilian side Botafogo.

Lyon's debts reportedly rose from €458 million to €508 million, but the club can avoid relegation if they can improve their financial situation.

Player wages have also contributed, with reports stating Lyon have the second-largest wage bill in the league despite not finishing in the top four since the 2020/21 season.

Outside of Textor selling his stake in other clubs, he has the option of attempting to turn a profit on valuable players in the system, such as Rayan Cherki or Botafogo's Thiago Almada.

While any sales will be beneficial to their situation, it would affect the side's goal of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League - an outcome that would have a hugely positive effect on their finances.

Lyon are currently sat fifth in Ligue 1 and on track for a European spot.

The verdict is temporary in its current form, but Girondins Bordeaux represent an example of such a case after falling to the fourth tier of French football - National 2 - for spending above their means over several years.

LFP also confirmed that Ligue 1 side Le Havre will be banned from signing players for a transfer fee.

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