Olympique Lyonnais have been included in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 fixture list despite their recent administrative relegation, a decision that comes as the club announced it has reached a key agreement with European football’s governing body.
The seven-time French champions are scheduled to face Lens in their opening game of the campaign on the weekend of August 16-17, but their top-flight status remains contingent on the outcome of an appeal.
Earlier this week, France’s football financial watchdog, the DNCG, upheld a decision to demote Lyon to the second-tier Ligue 2 over financial instability. The club, which described the DNCG’s ruling as “incomprehensible,” has launched an appeal.
The situation also created uncertainty around their qualification for the UEFA Europa League, particularly regarding a potential conflict with Crystal Palace due to their shared ownership structure under John Textor’s Eagle Football Group.
However, in a significant development on Friday, Olympique Lyonnais confirmed they have now completed a financial sustainability procedure and signed an agreement with the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB).
This agreement paves the way for the club to participate in next season’s Europa League, subject to a favourable outcome in their appeal of the DNCG’s domestic relegation. In their statement, OL thanked the UEFA representatives who assisted them in the process.
With their European eligibility conditionally secured, Lyon’s fate for the upcoming season now hinges entirely on the success of their appeal against the DNCG’s decision to demote them from Ligue 1.
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