Staff Reporter.
French giants Lyon have confirmed they will appeal against the “incomprehensible” decision to relegate them to Ligue 2 after failing to convince authorities they have resolved their financial difficulties.
The club were provisionally demoted by the DNGC, the body which oversees the accounts of French professional football clubs, in November.
Lyon officials including owner John Textor, met with the DNGC on Tuesday but failed to convince the body that the club had sufficiently improved their financial situation to lift the punishment.
Last October, his Eagle Football Group, which owns a 77% stake in Lyon, announced debts of £422m.
In a statement, Lyon said the DNGC’s decision was “incomprehensible” and confirmed they would appeal.
Lyon’s relegation could prove significant to Crystal Palace’s hopes of playing in the Europa League next season.
Their participation is currently in doubt because of Uefa rules, which prevent multiple teams under one multi-club ownership structure competing in the same European competition.
Textor owns stakes in both clubs although he agreed a deal to sell his 43% share in Palace on Monday.
“With proven funds and sporting success that has earned us a place in European competition for two consecutive years, we sincerely do not understand how an administrative decision could relegate such a major French club,” Lyon’s statement said.
“We will appeal to demonstrate our ability to provide the necessary financial resources to guarantee OL’s place in Ligue 1.”
Seven-time French champions Lyon raised around £45m with the sales of Maxence Caqueret to Como in January and Rayan Cherki to Manchester City in June in an attempt to improve their finances.