French football financial watchdog, Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG) has hit Ligue 1 club, Lyon with a provisional Ligue 2 relegation as well as a transfer ban and the supervision of their wages.
This decision follows the increment of the club’s debt from rom €458 million to €508 million.
The club’s owner, John Textor reportedly said to the DNCG that Lyon would be able to sell players – or Botafogo players, with the Brazilian outfit also part of the Eagle Football Group portfolio – as well as a 45 % share in Premier League side Crystal Palace to balance the books.
As it stands, Lyon will be relegated to Ligue 2 if their financial situation does not improve dramatically.
Lyon might be forced to sell their prized assets, including France U21 international attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki (21) or Belgian international winger Malick Fofana (19) on a cheap this winter transfer window.
Olympique Lyonnais commonly referred to as simply Lyon is a French professional football club based in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
With origins dating back to 1899, they were founded in 1950 and provisionally competed in France’s second highest football division, Ligue 2.
The club won its first Ligue 1 championship in 2002, beginning a national record-setting streak of seven successive titles. Lyon has also won eight Trophées des Champions, five Coupes de France, and three Ligue 2 titles.
