Textor blasts Ares after Eagle Bidco ousting, plans to regain control | OneFootball

John Textor has hit back after being sidelined from Eagle Bidco, the vehicle that holds 85% of Lyon, following Friday’s appointment of administrator Cork Gully.

In a statement via Eagle Football Holdings on Saturday, the former OL president contested the move, saying it strips him of control, and accused main creditor Ares of engineering a unilateral and predatory decision.

He argues Ares wants to dismantle a financially viable multi club group, adding the model was on track to become cash flow positive in 2026 and beyond.

Textor also rejects the rationale for administration, describing technical events of default that he says Ares itself caused. He further alleges Ares secretly took control of Lyon in June 2025 through a shadow board, in breach of French and British law.

At that time, Ares and Michele Kang, a shareholder and now president, had favoured removing Textor from day to day operations to help avert an administrative relegation to Ligue 2 imposed by the DNCG at first instance.

He maintains Ares is not acting in good faith and intends to challenge the situation, while saying he will work constructively with the administrator and hold Ares to account for alleged legal breaches. Textor says he is confident of regaining control of Bidco, even as the administration aims to restructure the holding’s debt.

Source: L'Équipe