Lyon boss John Textor voices anger as French FA confirms DNCG sanctions

To the great displeasure of Lyon owner and Eagle Football chief John Textor, the French FA’s Appeals Commission have confirmed the initial ruling made by the DNCG regarding the Ligue 1 club’s transfer activity. Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion – French football’s financial watchdog – had indicated that they would be monitoring the club’s transfer activity and wage bill for the 2023-2024 season. The organisation was reportedly not won over by some of the guarantees provided by the club in the budget they presented for the upcoming campaign.

Newly-named Olympique Lyonnais CEO Santiago Cucci revealed last week that the Ligue 1 club would appeal ruling with a view to providing further clarification on their project to the authority. Nevertheless, it was still deemed not enoug, with the French FA’s Appeals Commission confirming the DNCG’s initial ruling this Tuesday.

In a statement published on his personal website, and shared on Lyon’s social networks, Textor has voiced his anger and his misunderstanding of the French FA’s decision. According to the American businessman, he obliged to a €60m deposit requested by the DNCG. “We were invited to purchase one of the true treasures of football in France. We were invited to pay out cash of nearly €400 million to its long-time shareholders, pay €65 million in cash to its interested public shareholders, pay down bank debt by €50 million, then fund another €60 million in cash (on short notice) just for cushion…but we are not yet invited to execute a business plan based on our beliefs, with a free hand, for the benefit of the community we serve“, Textor said in his press release, which he has entitled “Welcome to France.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval