The Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, DNCG will today deliver its final decision on Olympique Lyonnais’ appeal against relegation from Ligue 1.
The seven-time French champions were handed imposed the sanction following their failure to meet financial regulations, despite the warning before the turn of the year.
Lyon were demoted to Ligue 2 by France’s football watchdog earlier this summer after failing to present a viable plan for repaying debts.As part of their appeal, the club has lobbied for external support, including financial assistance from rival clubs. Paris Saint-Germain in particular have been kind.
Les Parisiens fast-tracked the instalments on the payment of Bradley Barcola transfer fee, initially scheduled in five instalments starting in 2023, as a form of relief to the struggling club.
Conditions To Be Met By Lyon Ahead of Verdict
Lyon have been made aware that they have to raise €200 million, half of which much already be in their accounts by the time of the appeal today, and the other €100 million must have been realized before the end of the season.
While the DNCG is assessing Lyon’s financial model following this intervention, internal sources suggest the regulator remains unconvinced of the club’s long-term stability.
Crystal Palace To Learn European Fate
Crystal Palace will be desperately eager to learn the outcome of the appeal today, as it has wider implications, particularly for UEFA Europa League spot, which they earned by winning the FA Cup.
Lyon, who also secured European qualification by finishing 6th in Ligue 1, share the same majority owner, John Textor, and UEFA regulations prohibit two clubs under the same ownership structure from participating in the same competition.
Should Lyon’s appeal be rejected, Palace will retain their place in the Europa League. But if Lyon are reinstated and permitted to compete in Europe, Palace would be withdrawn to avoid breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
What Does That Mean For Premier League European Spot?
In the scenario that Lyon is acquitted, Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, would take Palace’s Europa League slot. Consequently, Brighton, eighth place, would be promoted to the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Despite the appeal, UEFA’s own licensing and financial standards may still pose a barrier to the French giants’ European eligibility. Even if reinstated domestically, the club would need to pass UEFA’s independent assessment to confirm participation in continental competitions.
The DNCG’s decision, expected later today, will finalise both Lyon’s league status and resolve uncertainty surrounding England’s final European representatives. UEFA will then act accordingly to confirm the 2025/26 competition lineups.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
