Lyon engulfed in crisis ahead of clash with PSG

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Once France's top club, Lyon are in full-blown crisis on and off the pitch coming into this weekend's clash with reigning Ligue 1champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Title-winners seven years in a row from 2002 to 2008, OL have finished outside the European qualifying spots in both the last two seasons and their start to this campaign has been their worst in 31 years.

After losing their opening two matches, Laurent Blanc's side played out an insipid goalless draw in Nice last weekend without suspended star striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Scorer of 27 league goals last season, Lacazette will again be banned against PSG, but that is almost the least of Lyon's problems.

American businessman John Textor bought the club midway through last season from long-serving president Jean-Michel Aulas, via his company Eagle Football.

But French football's financial watchdog, the DNCG, imposed restrictions on Lyon's spending over the summer, hampering the club's ability to sign much-needed players.

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Things took a further turn this week when Aulas filed a complaint against Textor for slander.

Speaking in a video conference with several French media on Tuesday, Textor accused Aulas of «hiding» the reality of the club's financial situation at the time of the takeover.

Aulas denied those allegations through his company Holnest, which asked a commercial court in Lyon to block 14.5 million euros ($15.7m) it claims it is owed from the club's accounts.

Holnest retains a minority share of under 10 percent in the club, which Aulas says Textor's company had agreed to acquire.

«Aulas has managed to have our