Once a dominant force in French football, Lyon’s descent into Ligue 2 follows a protracted battle with mounting debt, which last year soared above €500 million (approximately £418 million).

The DNCG’s latest review has now confirmed their demotion after previously handing down a provisional relegation order in November 2024.

While other top-tier clubs including Monaco, Nantes, and Paris FC also faced scrutiny from the DNCG, they have been cleared to remain in the top flight. Lyon, however, could not satisfy the financial body’s demands despite multiple attempts by owners Eagle Football Group to steady the ship.

In a bid to ease their financial strain and convince regulators of their stability, Eagle Football activated several fiscal “levers,” including the sale of club chief John Textor’s stake in English Premier League side Crystal Palace and divesting from Lyon’s women’s team. Still, the DNCG ruled these measures inadequate to meet its strict regulatory criteria.

Textor had expressed optimism following meetings with the DNCG earlier in the year, telling reporters:
“You can see from the contributions of our shareholders, we have invested new capital, not only for the DNCG, but also for our UEFA licensing process. Not to mention the good news of the sale of Crystal Palace. Our liquidity situation has improved considerably.”

Despite the hopeful tone, the regulatory body found the club’s financial outlook too fragile to justify a Ligue 1 license for the upcoming season.

Lyon, seven-time Ligue 1 champions and a club with a proud European pedigree, now face the grim prospect of competing in Ligue 2 during the 2025/26 campaign—unless their appeal against the ruling is successful.

The latest development marks a dramatic low for one of France’s most historic football institutions, whose fall from grace has sent shockwaves throughout European football.

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• Ruben Amorim gives update on his goalkeeper choice against Lyon

Manchester United fans have been left wondering if André Onana will reclaim his spot in goal for the crucial second leg of their Europa League tie against Lyon.

The Cameroonian shot-stopper was noticeably absent from the starting lineup in United’s recent Premier League clash against Newcastle United — marking the first time he was benched in the league under new manager Ruben Amorim.

The decision sparked curiosity, especially since Amorim didn’t offer a direct explanation for dropping his first-choice keeper.

However, following the match, Amorim shed some light on the situation, hinting that Onana’s performance in the first-leg defeat to Lyon in the Europa League may have influenced the call.

“Sometimes, you have to push the player to play again; sometimes, you have to let him disconnect a little bit,” Amorim explained. “Tomorrow, André will be in training to prepare for the next one, so I felt that it was a good time for André to disconnect.”

When asked whether Onana would return for the high-stakes rematch against Lyon, Amorim remained noncommittal:
“Onana vs Lyon? You guys have to wait, I’m going to choose the best starting XI for the next one.”

With a spot in the Europa League semi-finals on the line, Manchester United fans are hopeful Amorim picks a lineup capable of overturning the deficit and keeping their European dreams alive — whether that includes Onana between the sticks or not.

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In a gripping encounter on Sunday night, Lyon aimed to extend their winning streak to seven games as they faced a struggling Lens side, who were winless in their last four matches.

Lens initially showed promise with dangerous deliveries into Lyon’s area, but Lyon’s goalkeeper Lopes dealt with them effectively. Lyon came close to taking the lead through Nuamah’s powerful effort from 25 yards, which struck the post.

Despite Nuamah’s efforts, Lens seized the lead as Sotoca expertly headed home Costa’s cross, capitalizing on Lyon’s defensive lapse. Lens extended their lead early in the second half with Wahi converting a penalty after Caqueret was adjudged to have handballed in the area.

Lens continued to dominate possession and create chances, leaving Lyon vulnerable at the back. Although Lyon attempted to rally with Cherki’s introduction, they struggled to make a breakthrough.

Despite a late red card for Maitland-Niles and Lens’ third goal from Danso’s header, Lyon couldn’t mount a comeback, with Lens securing a well-deserved victory.

Ultimately, Lens emerged victorious, securing all three points in a convincing display against a ten-man Lyon side.

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Prior to the Parisians’ home game against Lyon on Saturday, a group of PSG ultras raised a banner expressing their feelings about the departed Neymar.

After 173 appearances for the team, Neymar left PSG this summer along with Lionel Messi.

The Brazilian’s high-profile transfer from Barcelona in 2017 shocked the entire football world, but the club’s ardent supporters, who expressed their delight at his departure, made it apparent that he hadn’t done enough to win them over.

His stay in Paris was, to put it mildly, unimpressive. Despite winning numerous Ligue 1 titles, the Brazilian was unable to provide PSG with the necessary talent to win the Champions League. They are lacking it, and Neymar didn’t do much to help them get it.

🚨🚨| PSG Ultras have a banner saying “Neymar: finally rid of the rude.” pic.twitter.com/bxDbipmNiW

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 26, 2023

Despite finally being able to leave France, the 31-year-old has yet to make his Al-Hilal debut, and as he recovers from ankle surgery, it’s uncertain when he’ll do so.

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Chelsea FC have announced and completed the signing of right-back Malo Gusto, who will spend the remainder of the season on loan with Lyon.

The Blues needed a new right-back to replace Reece James straight away and provide some competition, but after focusing on Gusto in the middle of the season, they discovered that Lyon was unwilling to part with the 19-year-old.

Chelsea decided to stick with the deal for Gusto rather than move on to another target, and According to reports, a fee of about €30m was agreed upon for the Frenchman.

Gusto has returned to Lyon to complete the season, and Chelsea has now confirmed that he has signed a deal that spans until 2030.

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The agreement is different from that involving Christopher Nkunku, a forward for RB Leipzig who won’t officially transfer to Stamford Bridge until the summer. Gusto is already a member of the Chelsea team.

Since making the transition to the Lyon senior setup last season, Gusto has received a lot of accolades in France. Before joining Chelsea, he made 54 appearances for the French team and contributed six assists.

He becomes the Blues’ seventh signing of the winter, following Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke in heading to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's newest: Malo Gusto! 👋 pic.twitter.com/wIQ3LkNR9p

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 29, 2023

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According to reports, Chelsea have held talks with Lyon over the signing of right-back Malo Gusto.

With the additions of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke this month, the Blues have been busy reinforcing their offence. However, right-back is another area of focus for Chelsea as they continue to struggle without Reece James.

Sources have already revealed that conversations have been had with Lyon about Gusto, a 19-year-old right-back, and the club executives are aggressively trying to recruit a new right-back.

Chelsea’s interest in Gusto was initially made known in October when scouts from Stamford Bridge, as well as those from Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Manchester United, observed the young defender.

Now, the Blues have made their move to try and recruit Gusto, whose current Lyon contract has just 18 months left to run.

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Gusto fits into Chelsea’s current transfer model – attempting to recruit a team of young stars – and is seen as viable competition to James, who remains the club’s clear first-choice for the position when fit.

Lyon are well aware of their battle to keep Gusto, both in terms of a transfer and concerning his expiring contract, but they are determined to hold on to the teenager for at least the remainder of the current season.

The French team is unwilling to part ways with a starting defender halfway through the season because they missed out on playing in Europe last season and are further behind this time around. They have dropped to ninth in the Ligue 1 standings and are currently 12 points outside of the qualification spots.

Chelsea might pursue a contract that allowed Gusto to stay with Lyon for the following six months, but the Blues are presently prioritizing a permanent transfer to strengthen a position that has consistently been difficult to fill when James is injured.

33-year-old Cesar Azpilicueta, who made his 500th appearance for Chelsea in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, has struggled to match James’ output and Graham Potter has often resorted to using centre-back Trevoh Chalobah out on the right instead.

Chelsea has a number of targets in mind to fix their right-back weaknesses, including Gusto, Denzel Dumfries from Inter, and Pedro Porro from Sporting CP.

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Mikel Arteta has provided injury reports on two important Arsenal stars, disclosing the fitness of Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe, following Arsenal’s victory over Lyon in a friendly.

The Gunners easily defeated the Ligue 1 team 3-0 while competing in the Dubai Super Cup in the United Arab Emirates as part of their preparations for the upcoming return of club football.

Naturally, Arsenal has a number of first-team regulars away still representing their nation at the World Cup or on leave after a recent defeat, but they are nevertheless pushing up their efforts with an eye on the return of football, with the goal of continuing a fantastic first half of the season.

Unfortunately, a knee injury forced Brazil striker Jesus to leave the World Cup. His club has subsequently revealed that he underwent surgery to repair the injury. When asked if there was a timetable for the 25-year-return old’s after the victory, Arteta said “no.”

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“We know that he needed some intervention in the knee and we have to take day by day, week by week and see where that takes us,” Arteta said.

When asked if the injury to Jesus would influence the Gunners’ transfer plans, he responded: “What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much.

“What we can do after that, when we know the timescale better and when we can have him back, we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions.”

Smith Rowe, meanwhile, has been missing for the majority of the 2022/23 campaign, but has travelled with the squad to Dubai for their mid-season camp. Arteta said: “With Emile, he has returned to training and he’s in that process after we rehab, after a period where he had some real discomfort.

“So we are giving him time – he’s getting closer and closer. So hopefully in the next few weeks, we’ll be able to see him.”

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A few weeks after declining a chance to represent the Black Stars at the 2022 Fifa World Cup, Eddie Nketiah was given a hearty homecoming in Ghana.

After the Premier League took a break to make room for the international competition in Qatar, the 23-year-old Nketiah, who is of Ghanaian heritage, landed at Kotoko International Airport for a vacation on Tuesday.

While making his way from the airport, he was greeted by members of the women’s squad, Ridge City Football Club, and was spotted dancing to local music.

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Arsenal forward @EddieNketiah9 welcomed at the Kotoka Airport by @RidgeCityFC as he looks to spend the holidays here 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/sEthTPpq6H

— Bortey 🇬🇭 (@joelbortey) November 15, 2022

Nketiah was among the players who were engaged by the Ghana Football Association to change their nationalities and represent the Black Stars in the World Cup and subsequent matches.

However, he turned down the offer, although Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu, Stephan Ambrosius, Patrick Pfeffer, and Ransford Yeboah shifted their allegiance.

Nketiah will have plenty of time to stay in Ghana while the league is out before heading back to Arsenal for their friendlies against Lyon on December 8 and Inter Milan on December 13 at Al-Maktoum Stadium.

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The UEFA Women’s Champions League has finally revealed the full draw of the tournament. The group stage draw includes Chelsea playing PSG and Real Madrid, Arsenal up against Juventus and Lyon.

Chelsea has drawn the toughest oppositions in PSG and Real Madrid in the final draw of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League group A will be the focus of attention because Chelsea has been drawn against the toughest competition in the competition, Real Madrid and PSG.

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As the season began on October 19, 2022, Chelsea would be hoping to advance further than they had in the previous one.

Here are all the teams in each group:

Group A – Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Vllaznia

Group B – Wolfsburg, Slavia Praha, St.Pölten, Roma

Group C – Lyon, Arsenal, Juventus, Zürich

Group D – Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Rosengård, Benfica

Group stage dates
Matchday 1: 19/20 October
Matchday 2: 26/27 October
Matchday 3: 23/24 November
Matchday 4: 7/8 December
Matchday 5: 15/16 December
Matchday 6: 21/22 December

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