Olympique Lyonnais “will not be relegated to Ligue 2”. promised OL president John Textor on Saturday, following the threat of demotion at the end of the season issued by French soccer’s financial watchdog on Friday due to the Rhone club’s poor financial health. “We won’t be relegated. It wasn’t true at the time (last season in sporting terms, editor’s note), it’s still true today.”said the American businessman at a press conference, as security was stepped up in front of the training center for fear of a fan demonstration.

On Friday, the French Professional Football League’s Direction nationale du contrôle de gestion (DNCG) decided to suspend the “demotion at the end of the current season”. of OL, currently 5th in Ligue 1 and heavily in debt. “We have resources that go far beyond the club. We have shareholders with funds and capital. Nobody will allow the club to be relegated. We don’t have a money problem. It’s a problem of perception.the executive argued on Saturday.

We’re very optimistic about our model, but some people are skeptical.

John Textor

The DNCG also imposed a recruitment ban on Olympique Lyonnais for the winter mercato, as well as a restriction on its wage bill, two sanctions which the club has yet to decide whether to appeal. “And you can’t appeal a warning”.Textor went on to comment on the precautionary demotion, deploring the fact that the decision had been leaked to the press. “when it should be confidential. We’re going to keep our promises and try to reassure the fans. We’re very optimistic about our model, but some people are skeptical.”he lamented.

John Textor also stated that the DNCG’s decision would have no impact on negotiations concerning player disposals, which bring in around 90 million euros each season for Olympique Lyonnais, who hope to recoup 75 million euros during the winter mercato. In July 2023, the DNCG had already taken measures to limit the wage bill and transfer indemnities before lifting them.

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