French giants Olympique Lyonnais will be sweating after being handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2.
An official statement from the French football authority DNCG released on Friday said the club “could face demotion as a precautionary measure” after the current 2024-25 season.
The decision is based on the club’s worrying financial state. Reports in France claim the Ligue 1 club’s debt rose to €508 million.
In addition to the relegation, Lyon were also hit with a recruitment ban and must have their payroll supervised.
Though the decision is temporary, the Rhône Valley side’s worry comes from the knowledge that similar initial proceedings ultimately saw Girondins Bordeaux relegated to the fourth tier of French football.
Looking at the Ligue 1 table, Lyon currently sit fifth.