OL media and followers are sounding the alarm this Monday in the aftermath of the Gones defeat in front of Lens, as part of the 32e Ligue 1 day (1-2). Except miracles accumulated during the last two league lifes, this setback condemns the qualification ambitions of the Lyonnais for the next edition of the Champions League. A disaster among others …
Today, no one is fooled. John Textor's reassuring speech no longer passes. Especially since the promises of the past have not been held. OL OL figures are overwhelming. On the last half of 2024, the financial debt of Eagle Football Group increased to 540 million euros, and the observed net profit betrays an abysmal deficit of 117 million euros. This despite the efforts hitherto made.
If active ingredients have been sold like the female section or the famous Arena bought by Holnest, the holding of Jean-Michel Aulas, if Eagle Football Holdings paid 83 million euros this winter in club funds and if the winter transfer window has made it possible to harvest some additional 30 million, the situation remains critical in the accounting plan.
DULUC worried for OL
While the qualification for the very lucrative C1 is now illusory and revenue related to TV rights are more than ever uncertain, the two main sources of income mentioned by John Textor to mop the debt are to date. The introduction of the holding company to the New York Stock Exchange is at a standstill, such as the resale of the American businessman shares to the capital of the London club Crystal Palace.
“Any significant delay or any non-realization of these cash flows could call into question the principle of continuity of exploitation of the company and its subsidiaries”, concluded in their report the auditors a few months ago while OL remains under an administrative demotion in Ligue 2 pronounced on November 15 on a conservatory by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG).
On the antenna of the L'Equipe chain this Monday, Vincent Duluc, who has long covered the news of the Lyon club, does not hide his concern. “I'm worried, of course. The past 15 days mark a fatal turning point in the history of this club. Many indicators make us think that at the exit, the club will belong to Ares, the fund which lent the money to Textor. But what will Ares of the club do? A destiny at the Girondins in Bordeaux, another institution of French football which battles today in the fourth division (National 2), cannot be excluded unfortunately.
