Olympique Lyonnais — seven-time Ligue 1 champions — have officially been relegated to Ligue 2 despite finishing sixth in the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season. The decision, made by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) — French football’s financial watchdog, comes as a crushing blow to the club and its supporters.
But how can a team that placed in the top six of the table be sent down a division? Here’s the full story behind Lyon’s stunning fall from grace.
Financial Troubles Dating Back Months
Lyon’s financial woes were no secret. Back in November, the club was already hit with a provisional relegation by the DNCG due to mounting debts and irregularities in their financial books. The club, once hailed for its solid management and youth development system, found itself tangled in a web of financial instability, driven by overspending, underperforming investments, and questionable management decisions.
Despite their solid on-field performances that ultimately saw them finish sixth in Ligue 1, a position that should have guaranteed European football, the DNCG maintained its strict stance.
Who Is Behind the Decision?
The DNCG is known for taking a no-nonsense approach when it comes to financial oversight in French football. It closely monitors clubs’ finances to ensure stability, and can impose sanctions ranging from transfer bans to outright relegation if necessary.
