Lyon have won the Ligue 1 title on seven occasions Lyon have been included in the Ligue 1 fixtures for next season despite being relegated to French football's second tier because of the poor state of their finances. In the schedule released on Friday, Lyon have been earmarked to play Lens in their opening game of the 2025-26 campaign - which starts on the weekend of 16-17 August. Lyon were provisionally demoted in November by the DNGC, the body which oversees the accounts of French professional football clubs. Club officials, including owner John Textor, met with the DNGC earlier this week butfailed to convince the bodythat the club had improved their financial situation enough to lift the punishment. Last October Textor's Eagle Football Group, which owns a 77% stake in Lyon, announced debts of £422m. Lyon previously described the DNGC's decision as "incomprehensible" and have taken steps to appeal. Les Gones finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and qualified for the Europa League. Their relegation could prove significant to FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, whose hopes of playing in the Europa League next season are under threat because of Uefa rules which prevent multiple teams under one multi-club ownership structure competing in the same European competition. Textor owns stakes in both clubs although heagreed a deal to sell his 43% share in Palace on Monday. Uefa executives met on Friday to discuss the matter, and the outcome of the hearing had been expected to be announced later in the day, but the meeting isnow set to resume at the start of next week.
Lyon included in Ligue 1 fixtures despite demotion
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Lyon Remains in Ligue 1 Fixtures Despite Financial Relegation"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Lyon, a club with a storied history in French football, having won the Ligue 1 title seven times, finds itself in a challenging position as it has been included in the Ligue 1 fixtures for the upcoming season despite being relegated to the second tier. The club's relegation was confirmed due to severe financial difficulties, with debts amounting to approximately £422 million, as disclosed by the Eagle Football Group, which holds a 77% stake in the club under owner John Textor. The DNGC, the governing body overseeing the financial health of French professional football clubs, provisionally demoted Lyon in November after a review of their accounts. Club officials, including Textor, attempted to appeal this decision in recent meetings but were unsuccessful in convincing the DNGC that their financial situation had sufficiently improved to warrant lifting the demotion. As a result, Lyon will face Lens in their opening match of the 2025-26 campaign, set to commence over the weekend of August 16-17, 2025.
The implications of Lyon's relegation extend beyond their own fortunes, as it poses a potential threat to Crystal Palace's participation in the Europa League next season. Textor's ownership of both clubs raises questions under UEFA regulations, which prohibit multiple teams under the same ownership from competing in the same European competition. This situation has become particularly pressing as Crystal Palace, which recently won the FA Cup, was counting on a European qualification that may now be jeopardized. In light of these developments, Textor agreed to sell his 43% stake in Crystal Palace earlier this week to mitigate any conflicts of interest. UEFA executives convened on Friday to deliberate on the matter, with an announcement regarding the outcome of their discussions expected soon. However, the meeting has been postponed until the following week, leaving both clubs in a state of uncertainty regarding their futures in European competitions.
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