Lyon Retain Ligue 1 Status After Winning Relegation Appeal

Seven-time French champions Lyon will remain in Ligue 1 after successfully appealing their relegation, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Wednesday.

The club had been demoted to Ligue 2 last month by France’s financial watchdog, following budgetary restrictions imposed in November. However, Lyon’s appeal has been upheld, allowing them to compete in the top flight next season.

In the wake of financial turmoil, American entrepreneur Michele Kang stepped in as club president, succeeding fellow American John Textor. Kang, who already heads Lyon’s women’s team, is now the second-largest shareholder behind Textor.

As part of the conditions for staying in Ligue 1, the FFF has mandated the club to reduce both its wage bill and transfer spending for the 2025–26 campaign.

“Lyon would like to thank the appeal commission after it recognised the ambition of the new management,” the club said in an official statement. “Today’s decision marks the first step in restoring trust in the club.”

Textor, who became Lyon’s majority shareholder in December 2022 after purchasing the club from long-serving president Jean-Michel Aulas, recently announced he would step back from daily operations. During Aulas’ era, Lyon enjoyed a golden run, winning seven consecutive league titles between 2002 and 2008.

Despite financial setbacks, Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season, securing a spot in the UEFA Europa League. Their participation has been confirmed following the successful appeal, although they had already agreed to pay a fine to UEFA due to financial irregularities.

To help stabilize the club’s finances, key players Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Lopes have taken pay cuts, while Rayan Cherki was sold to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret joined Serie A side Como. Textor’s Eagle Football Group also injected €83 million into the club.

Textor, who also has ownership stakes in Brazil’s Botafogo and Belgium’s Molenbeek, recently sold his 43% share in Premier League side Crystal Palace in a bid to rebalance Lyon’s finances.

Lyon began pre-season training on Monday and will kick off their 2025–26 Ligue 1 campaign with an away fixture against Lens between August 15 and 17.

Paris Saint-Germain remain the most successful club in Ligue 1 history with 13 titles, while Lyon sit just behind five clubs on the all-time list.