Seven-time French champion Lyon risks relegation to the second tier at the end of the season and has been hit with a transfer ban because of financial irregularities. The decision to provisionally relegate Lyon to Ligue 2 followed an audit of the club's finances by the French league's soccer watchdog,

Lyon’s American owner John Textor has insisted there is “no chance” the French side will be relegated from Ligue 1. Textor spoke for two hours at a hastily arranged press conference on Saturday in response to Friday’s decision to provisionally relegate the seven-time French champions to Ligue 2.

Olympique Lyon faces provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by DNCG over financial irregularities, with a transfer ban and salary oversight imposed. Owner John Textor remains optimistic about avoiding demotion as the club races to resolve its financial crisis.