Lyon ordered in Brazil to pay €20.8m to Botafogo over unpaid debts | OneFootball

A Brazilian court has issued an initial ruling ordering Olympique Lyonnais to pay €20.8m to Botafogo for unpaid debts. According to Le Progres, the decision concerns 122 million reais.

On 4 April, Botafogo filed a claim to recover unpaid debts totalling more than €125m.

The ruling allows Lyon to request to pay 30% upfront, with the balance spread over six monthly instalments.

Lyon has three days to appeal, starting from Tuesday’s notification by the Brazilian court.

Botafogo’s claim concerns loans extended to Lyon while both clubs were under the control of American businessman John Textor, formerly OL’s owner.

Separately, Botafogo, which is facing financial difficulties, has sought judicial reorganisation in Brazil to restructure its finances, including a temporary suspension of Eagle’s voting rights as majority shareholder, alleging it has impeded new investment.

Textor was replaced at the helm of OL by Michele Kang in June 2025. He was also removed from all operational roles at Eagle Bidco at the end of January.

Source: Le Progres