Former Champions League giants ‘provisionally RELEGATED’ from top flight if they can’t clear £422MILLION debt

ONCE Champions League giants Lyon person been provisionally relegated from Ligue 1.

The French broadside can't wide their rising £422MILLION indebtedness and person present been banned from signing players successful January.

Lyon volition suffer their top-flight presumption astatine the extremity of the play unless they amended their concern and debar going into administration.

Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor bulk owns Lyon done Eagle Football Holdings.

He insisted a gathering with France's National Directorate of Control and Management (DNGC) "went well", but the watchdog seems to person disagreed.

French writer Romain Molina has besides claimed that "all Lyon players are connected sale" successful a bid to trim the club's debts.

Les Gones person been losing wealth year-on-year and their fiscal exemplary is based connected accordant Champions League qualification. 

They person besides mislaid power of their payroll arsenic it volition beryllium supervised by the DNGC, with galore erstwhile Premier League stars calling Lyon home.

They person not been successful Europe's elite contention since the 2019-20 season, erstwhile a broadside inspired by Memphis Depay and Bruno Guimaraes reached the semi-finals. 

But if Ligue 1 so goes done with their relegation, they'll beryllium incapable to suffice for immoderate European contention until the club's promoted again.

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Their squad boasts erstwhile Palace prima Wilfried Zaha, ex-Man Utd midfielder Nemanja Matic, Said Benrahma, and Jordan Veretout. 

And erstwhile Arsenal prima Alexandre Lacazette captains the side, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles joining implicit the summer.

The relegation would people different hammer stroke for French shot aft Bordeaux were demoted to the 4th tier due to bankruptcy this summer. 

But that was earlier erstwhile Prem prima Andy Carroll joined Bordeaux aft being fto spell by Reading.

Carroll is set to divorcement from his Towie prima woman Billi Mucklow aft 2 turbulent years of marriage.

The Eagle Football Group portfolio owns stakes successful Lyon, Palace, Botafogo of Brazil, FC Florida, and RWD Molenbeek successful Belgium.

Textor believes that selling players from his different nine Botafogo and the 45 per cent involvement successful Palace could assistance equilibrium the books for Lyon, arsenic per L'Equipe

But the American concern tycoon is eyeing a takeover astatine Everton aft each is said and done.

Many clubs successful France are struggling disconnected the backmost of the Covid-19 pandemic and drastically decreasing TV rights revenue.

Lyon, who beryllium 5th successful Ligue 1 managed by comparative newcomer Pierre Sage, are successful the Europa League this play and bash person tons of players they could offload.