by The seven times French champion Lyon has been relegated to Ligue 2 due to current financial difficulties.
The French football financial guard (DNCG) confirmed the decision on Tuesday following an audit of the club, which did not convince the authorities that their economic problems were resolved.
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Lyon was struck by a provisional relegation in November after having accumulated massive debts, and although they have since sold a certain number of players from the first team, DNCG maintained relegation after meetings on Tuesday.
The decision was announced Tuesday evening by the French Football League (LFP). Monaco, Nantes and Paris FC will not face any other action.
Although Lyon can always appeal the decision, the decision to relegate a club which won seven consecutive titles between 2001-2002 and 2007-08, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League most recently in 2020, will send shock waves through French football.
Club president John Textor told L’Equipe last week that he was convinced that the club’s financial situation had been resolved, after saying in November that there was “no chance” that the club was relegated.
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Textor is selling his actions in the Premier League Crystal Palace club, which may be denied its place in the Europa League next season, because Lyon also qualified after having finished sixth in Ligue 1.
A sale in Woody Johnson, owner of the NFL New York Jets, has been agreed, but the Premier League has not yet ratified the agreement and Johnson has yet to take the test of the owners and administrators of the Premier League.
After receiving provisional relegation last year, Lyon sold Said Benrahma, Anthony Lopes and Maxence Caqueret in January, and this summer, they have already sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City.
Additional reports by Press Association.
