Lyon's Top-Four Push in Jeopardy as Financial Challenges Mount

Lyon owner John Textor has criticized the French league and PSG's dominance, as his club struggles to regain form in Ligue 1 and push for a top-four finish.

Lyon is determined to secure a top-four finish and return to the Champions League, but their inconsistent start to the year has put this ambition at risk. The club is currently facing significant financial challenges, and their American owner is at odds with the French league. Despite these off-field issues, Lyon is focused on achieving their on-field goals.

In their most recent match, Lyon took on Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday in the Europa League, a competition they hope to win. However, their domestic form has been a concern, with the team winning just one of their last four Ligue 1 matches. This slump has seen them drop to sixth in the table, two points outside the Champions League qualifying spots. They will face Nantes on Sunday, looking to get their top-four push back on track.

Lyon's recent performances have been disappointing, including a humiliating defeat in the French Cup on penalties to fifth-tier side Bourgoin-Jallieu. Nevertheless, the club's primary objective remains qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since the 2019/20 season. This goal has taken on added importance given the club's financial situation, with Lyon recently receiving a warning from the DNCG, French football's financial control body, that they would face relegation at the end of the season if they fail to take drastic action to reduce their debts.

Lyon is part of John Textor's Eagle Football group, which owns several other clubs, including Botafogo, the Brazilian and South American champions. Despite their rich history, Lyon is struggling with significant debts, which have resulted in a transfer ban in the January window. However, the club has still managed to sign Argentina playmaker Thiago Almada on loan from Botafogo. To address their financial woes, Lyon is being forced to raise money through player sales, which risks making the team less competitive in the domestic league.

Textor has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the current state of French football, particularly with regards to the dominance of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He has expressed frustration with the French league's new broadcast deal, which he believes unfairly favors PSG. Textor has also taken aim at PSG's Qatari president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, whose network beIN Sports acquired the rights to show one live Ligue 1 match per weekend in France. “Every league is dominated by a force of a team. There is always one dominant team with seemingly unlimited money, in some cases from oil states,” Textor said in an interview with radio station RMC.

Come on Ainsley 👊⚽️ pic.twitter.com/UsnA4iERV0

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) January 24, 2025

Textor has criticized the French league's president, Vincent Labrune, for not taking a stronger stance in negotiations with PSG. He recalled a meeting where Labrune barely spoke, allowing al-Khelaifi to dominate the discussion. “I was completely shocked in July to be in a meeting of the presidents to discuss viable alternatives on television, and the president of the league (Vincent Labrune) who should have been running the meeting barely opened his mouth. Nasser sat and ran the meeting and should not have been in the meeting...and the president of our league just sat there like a lapdog, didn't say anything,” Textor said. He believes that PSG's influence over the league needs to be examined. “The influence from PSG to the league needs to be looked at,” he added.

🔚 It's over in Istanbul!

Our Gones bring back a point from Turkey 🤝🔴🔵

0-0 #FBOL pic.twitter.com/6tMuyOQlJr

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) January 23, 2025

Textor's comments have sparked a reaction from the parties involved, with the DNCG calling his claims “baseless.” Despite the backlash, Textor's actions in reducing Lyon's debts will ultimately speak louder than his words. The American owner will be hoping that Pierre Sage's team can quickly regain their form in Ligue 1 and push for a top-four finish.