Lyon have been included in the fixture list for the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season despite their demotion to Ligue 2, while they have also been cleared to play in the Europa League.
The seven-time French champions finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season, earning a place in the Europa League, a competition in which they reached the quarter-finals in 2024-25.
But they were relegated to the second tier this week after failing to convince The National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) – the body that oversees the financial well-being of clubs in France – that their situation had improved following their provisional demotion in November.
That has led to calls from fans for owner John Textor to sell the club, while Lyon have taken steps to appeal the decision.
As such, Lyon were listed on Friday as featuring in the next Ligue 1 season, with their scheduled opener against Lens taking place on the weekend of August 16-17.
Additionally, the club confirmed in a statement that it reached an agreement with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body to compete in the Europa League, subject to the appeal against the DNCG decision going in their favour.
It read: “Olympique Lyonnais completed the financial sustainability procedure and signed an agreement with the UEFA Club Financial Control Body.
“The club could therefore participate in next season’s Europa League, subject to a favorable outcome of the appeal of the DNCG decision.
“OL would like to thank the UEFA representatives who assisted it in this process.”
Textor’s Eagle Football Group, which owns a 77% stake in Lyon, announced it had debts of £422m last October.
A club statement responding to their demotion read: “Olympique Lyonnais acknowledges the incomprehensible decision rendered by the DNCG and confirms that it will immediately file an appeal.
“In recent months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, satisfying all of its requests with cash equity investments exceeding the amounts requested. Thanks to the equity contributions of our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved significantly, and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025-26 season.
“With so much cash liquidity demonstrated, and sporting success which has earned European competition in two consecutive years, we sincerely do not understand how one administrative decision could relegate such a great French club.
“Through our appeal, we will establish our substantial cash resources as necessary for Olympique Lyonnais to keep its place in Ligue 1.”
The Eagle Football Group also holds the majority stake in Brazilian club Botafogo and agreed to sell their shares in Crystal Palace to New York Jets Woody Johnson, a deal awaiting ratification from the Premier League.
Textor made the decision to sell Palace as the club was at risk of being deemed in breach of UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership, which could have resulted in the London club being kicked out of the Europa League, a competition for which they qualified after winning the FA Cup.
