The National Committee for the Oversight and Financial Management of Clubs in France announced this Tuesday evening the relegation of Olympique Lyon to the second division, after a final review of its financial file, in a surprising move that shook the French sports community.

Lyon's president, John Textor, and the club's football director, Mickaël Gerlinger, had undergone a hearing before the committee in an attempt to avoid the relegation decision, but the committee decided to activate the penalty based on Article 11 of its regulations, while granting the club the right to appeal.

It is worth noting that Lyon had been temporarily relegated during the winter transfer period due to its failure to provide the required financial guarantees, amidst huge debts amounting to 175 million euros, which put its administrative and sporting future at stake.

Despite John Textor's recent statements confirming that the club is in good financial shape after significant investments, the committee saw otherwise, confirming the relegation of one of France's largest clubs to the second division for the first time in many years.