John Textor Blasts French Football Governance After Lyon U-Turn

John Textor has ignited another firestorm in European football, accusing France’s financial watchdog of “institutional corruption” after Olympique Lyonnais won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1.

John Textor’s Explosive Allegations

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Textor—majority shareholder of OL Groupe and minority investor in Crystal Palace—said the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG) operates “behind closed doors, without transparency, and with shifting goalposts.” He called himself an “agent of change” determined to modernise an industry he believes is shackled by outdated governance. “I’m very much the issue for those who prefer comfort over accountability,” Textor declared. “But progress usually starts with someone willing to be unpopular.”

How Lyon Fought Back to Ligue 1

Lyon were initially demoted to Ligue 2 on 11 June after the DNCG flagged concerns over financing a stadium renovation loan and projected transfer revenue. Club lawyers swiftly appealed, supplying fresh guarantees, including a €50 million line of credit underwritten by Eagle Football Holdings. In a ruling that surprised many onlookers, the appeals commission reversed the penalty, reinstating Lyon for the 2024-25 season and lifting payroll restrictions that had hampered summer recruitment plans.

Financial Chess Moves

According to internal documents leaked to L’Équipe, Lyon’s revised budget banks on the sale of fringe players, Champions League broadcast income by 2026, and a naming-rights partner for Groupama Stadium. While auditors judged the plan “credible,” Textor’s comments suggest he believes the original decision was less about numbers and more about politics.

Crystal Palace and the Domino Effect

The American entrepreneur’s multi-club model has generated friction across the continent. Textor owns major stakes in Botafogo, RWD Molenbeek and Palace, and UEFA’s updated multi-ownership rules leave little room for overlap in European competitions. Lyon’s return to the top flight, coupled with Palace’s stunning sixth-place Premier League finish, means only one of the two can appear in next season’s Europa League. “If Palace have to give up Europe, that’s on French football’s inconsistency,” Textor warned, hinting at potential legal action similar to the Lyon appeal.

French Football Corruption Claims

Textor did not mince words: “The problem is systemic. Clubs are judged by committees whose members often have vested interests. Transparency is a myth.” He insisted he has evidence of selective enforcement, citing cases where clubs were allowed to register new signings despite larger deficits than Lyon’s. The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) responded in a short statement, calling his remarks “unfounded and damaging,” and reminded stakeholders that French football already complies with UEFA’s financial sustainability regulations.

Agent of Change or Troublemaker?

To supporters at the Parc OL, Textor is the visionary who kept their club in the top division; to league executives, he is a disrupter who airs dirty laundry in public. “I accept being labelled the villain if it speeds up reform,” he said. He referenced the Premier League’s open hearings and published rulings as a template. “Why should French fans read rumours in newspapers instead of official documents? Football belongs to the people, not a backroom cabal.”

Historical Parallels

French football has witnessed boardroom turmoil before—Marseille’s match-fixing scandal of the 1990s and Lens’s administrative relegation in 2014 are two infamous examples. Yet few executives have attacked the DNCG itself. Analysts say Textor’s campaign could galvanise other owners quietly frustrated by red tape. “He articulates what many think but fear to voice,” claimed sports economist Vincent Chaudel. “If he backs words with legal challenges, the French model may have to adapt.”

What Happens Next?

• UEFA Decision: A ruling on whether Lyon or Palace take the Europa League slot is expected before the group-stage draw in late August.
• Summer Transfers: Lyon can now proceed with a €90 million recruitment budget, although the club still needs sales to balance wages.
• Governance Review: French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra has invited league officials and club owners to a round-table in September, partly in response to Textor’s allegations.

Stakeholder Reactions

Former Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, who sold his remaining shares to Textor last year, issued measured support: “I do not share every method, but I understand the frustration. Greater transparency benefits everyone.” Conversely, LFP chair Vincent Labrune dismissed the corruption narrative as “American theatrics,” urging owners to respect domestic regulations.

Impact on Supporters

Fans are caught between relief and apprehension. Season-ticket sales surged after the reinstatement, yet a minority worry that continued confrontations could destabilise the club long-term. “We want unity, not endless court battles,” said supporter-club president Pierre Dupont. Nevertheless, social-media surveys show over 70 percent back Textor’s combative stance if it safeguards Lyon’s Ligue 1 status.

John Textor’s Legacy in the Making

Whether one applauds or condemns him, John Textor has already reshaped the narrative around Ligue 1 governance. By leveraging global assets and blunt rhetoric, he forces regulators to justify their decisions under brighter light. If the DNCG tightens its procedures, or if UEFA revises multi-ownership guidelines, Textor’s fingerprints will be visible.

Short Opinion

Textor’s scorched-earth approach may feel abrasive, yet disruption often precedes reform in professional sport. French football cannot afford complacency in a landscape dominated by Premier League wealth and Saudi investment. While his tactics risk collateral damage—most notably for Crystal Palace fans who dream of European nights—the broader debate on transparency is overdue. In that sense, the American may indeed be the “agent of change” he claims to be.