Lyon have been included within the fixture checklist for the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season regardless of their demotion to Ligue 2, whereas they’ve additionally been cleared to play within the Europa League.
The seven-time French champions completed sixth in Ligue 1 final season, incomes a spot within the Europa League, a contest during which they reached the quarter-finals in 2024-25.
But they have been relegated to the second tier this week after failing to persuade The National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) – the physique that oversees the monetary well-being of golf equipment in France – that their scenario had improved following their provisional demotion in November.
That has led to calls from followers for proprietor John Textor to promote the membership, whereas Lyon have taken steps to enchantment the choice.
As such, Lyon have been listed on Friday as that includes within the subsequent Ligue 1 season, with their scheduled opener in opposition to Lens happening on the weekend of August 16-17.
Additionally, the membership confirmed in an announcement that it reached an settlement with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body to compete within the Europa League, topic to the enchantment in opposition to the DNCG choice going of their favour.
It learn: “Olympique Lyonnais accomplished the monetary sustainability process and signed an settlement with the UEFA Club Financial Control Body.
“The membership might due to this fact take part in subsequent season’s Europa League, topic to a positive consequence of the enchantment of the DNCG choice.
“OL wish to thank the UEFA representatives who assisted it on this course of.”
Textor’s Eagle Football Group, which owns a 77% stake in Lyon, introduced it had money owed of £422m final October.
A membership assertion responding to their demotion learn: “Olympique Lyonnais acknowledges the incomprehensible choice rendered by the DNCG and confirms that it’ll instantly file an enchantment.
“In latest months, we have now labored carefully with the DNCG, satisfying all of its requests with money fairness investments exceeding the quantities requested. Thanks to the fairness contributions of our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our money place has improved considerably, and we have now greater than ample assets for the 2025-26 season.
“With a lot money liquidity demonstrated, and sporting success which has earned European competitors in two consecutive years, we sincerely don’t perceive how one administrative choice might relegate such a fantastic French membership.
“Through our enchantment, we are going to set up our substantial money assets as crucial for Olympique Lyonnais to maintain its place in Ligue 1.”
The Eagle Football Group additionally holds the bulk stake in Brazilian membership Botafogo and agreed to promote their shares in Crystal Palace to New York Jets Woody Johnson, a deal awaiting ratification from the Premier League.
Textor made the choice to promote Palace because the membership was vulnerable to being deemed in breach of UEFA’s guidelines on multi-club possession, which might have resulted within the London membership being kicked out of the Europa League, a contest for which they certified after profitable the FA Cup.
