Cherki, Lacazette exits not enough: Lyon relegated to Ligue 2 by DNCG ruling | OneFootball

Lyon have officially been relegated to Ligue 2 following a decision by French football’s financial watchdog, the DNCG, who determined the club had failed to resolve long-standing financial concerns.

The ruling, confirmed on Tuesday, comes despite Lyon’s recent efforts to raise funds through player sales and wage reductions.

This marks the first time since 1989 that the seven-time French champions will play outside the top flight.

The demotion stems from a provisional punishment handed down in November, when the DNCG flagged Lyon’s deteriorating finances.

At the time, club owner John Textor dismissed fears of relegation, insisting there was “no chance” the penalty would be enforced.

But after a review this week, the DNCG concluded Lyon had not done enough to rectify the situation, upholding the administrative drop to Ligue 2.

Lyon have the right to appeal, though it remains unclear whether the financial picture has improved sufficiently to overturn the decision.

The club had attempted to raise cash through the sales of key players, including Maxence Caqueret to Como and Rayan Cherki to Manchester City.

Anthony Lopes, Alexandre Lacazette and Said Benrahma were also offloaded, with Lyon freeing up significant wages in the process.

Despite generating roughly £45 million and slashing salaries, the DNCG found Lyon’s €422 million debt too severe to ignore.

If the appeal fails, Reims — who lost the relegation playoff to Metz — would likely retain their Ligue 1 status in Lyon’s place.

Lyon’s fall is all the more shocking given their recent pedigree, including a Champions League semi-final appearance in 2020 and a sixth-place Ligue 1 finish this past season.

The club dominated French football between 2002 and 2008, winning seven consecutive league titles.

Owner Textor, whose Eagle Football Group controls 77 per cent of Lyon, has also been forced to sell his stake in Crystal Palace to avoid a UEFA multi-club ownership conflict.

Palace, having won the FA Cup, qualified for the Europa League — a competition Lyon are also due to enter.

Under UEFA rules, two clubs under the same ownership cannot compete in the same European tournament.

Textor’s sale of his 43 per cent Palace stake to Woody Johnson is expected to resolve that issue, pending Premier League approval.

Still, for Lyon, the focus now shifts to salvaging their top-flight status through appeal — or facing a humbling season in Ligue 2.