Lyon faces UEFA probe over ineligible player in Europa League match

CAS orders UEFA to investigate Lyon fielding ineligible player against FC Utrecht

CAS orders UEFA to investigate Lyon's ineligible player in Europa League match against Utrecht. The issue is with Rachid Ghezzal's registration, as he wasn't registered with Lyon before the Europa League season started, and was fielded against Utrecht.

“FC Utrecht expect UEFA to implement the imposed obligation carefully and expeditiously...”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered UEFA to open an investigation into Olympique Lyonnais fielding an ineligible player in their UEFA Europa League game against FC Utrecht.

FC Utrecht appealed to the CAS after Olympique Lyon were found to have fielded an unregistered player in their UEFA Europa League meeting on September 25th, which Lyon won 1-0. Algerian winger Rachid Ghezzal was brought on for Adam Karabec in the 65th minute, despite not being registered by Lyon before the start of the UEFA Europa League season.

🗞️ CAS verplicht UEFA tot onderzoek naar niet speelgerechtigde speler Olympique Lyonhttps://t.co/CSVWIAcRpX

— FC Utrecht (@fcutrecht) December 4, 2025

Utrecht took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after UEFA dropped the case, and CAS ruled in Utrecht's favor, ordering UEFA to launch an investigation, citing their failure to initiate disciplinary proceedings as wrongful.

“FC Utrecht expect UEFA to implement the imposed obligation carefully and expeditiously. The club will continue to monitor developments closely and will communicate as soon as there is reason to do so,” the club said in an official statement.

It's unclear what disciplinary action UEFA might take against Lyon, or if they'll face any penalties at all.