Lyon owner John Textor has hit out at the club's "enemies" amid the French side facing relegation from Ligue 1 due to financial problems.
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Lyon in financial strifeFacing relegation from Ligue 1Owner hits out at "enemies"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
In light of Lyon having reported debts of around €500 million (£418m), French football financial watchdog National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) has come down hard on Textor's team. According to , the commission has hit Lyon with a provisional relegation from Ligue 1 as well as a transfer ban and the supervision of their wages. Earlier on Friday, the American billionaire said he was "confident" in the club's figures and seemingly took aim at other teams in the division, including Paris Saint-Germain.
AdvertisementAFPWHAT JOHN TEXTOR SAID
He said in a press conference: "I am confident in our figures. I can never be confident in the way a regulatory body considers these things. I believe that the DNCG is independent of some of the pressures that you see. But we have a lot of enemies, you know, on the board of directors, in the league, a big club from Qatar."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Reports suggest Lyon may yet be able to save themselves from relegation to Ligue 2 if they offload players and Textor, whose Eagle Football Group owns 87.7 per cent of the French team, sells his 45% stake at Crystal Palace. claims they will need £91m ($115m) in revenue to escape these punishments. Lyon, who are fifth in Ligue 1, need to raise funds and fast.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Lyon will have to sell some players during the January transfer window, with reports suggesting prized assets such as Rayan Cherki and Malick Fofana may be allowed to leave to raise vital funds. Their fans will make their voices heard soon about this.