Lyon handed Ligue 2 relegation by financial regulator

Olympique Lyonnais have been relegated to Ligue 2 by the French National Control and Management Committee (DNCG), the French Professional Football League LFP announced on Jun. 24, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 24 June 2025
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Lyon handed Ligue 2 relegation by financial regulator

  • During a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince DNCG to lift the restrictions
  • Lyon can appeal the decision

LYON: Seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon have been relegated to the second-tier by French football’s financial watchdog, the French professional league (LFP) announced on Tuesday.

During a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince the regulator (DNCG) to lift the restrictions it had put on the club in November.

Lyon can appeal the decision.

Before the meeting, Lyon’s president John Textor said he was confident of avoiding the drop to Ligue 2 for next season, where the club has not played since 1989.

“We have made a variety of investments in recent weeks,” he said. “Everything is good financially.”

American Textor sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League outfit Crystal Palace earlier in the week. Lyon have reduced their salary bill and sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como.

Lyon qualified for next season’s Europa League after finishing sixth in the French top-flight.

If their relegation is confirmed, they would be replaced in Ligue 1 by Reims.

Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles.


Mid East Falcons finish strong with victory over Arabia Wolves

Updated 08 December 2025
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Mid East Falcons finish strong with victory over Arabia Wolves

  • Abu Dhabi franchise beat their Dubai counterparts 3-2 to finish the inaugural Baseball United season joint top with Mumbai Cobras

DUBAI: Five pitchers combined to complete a five-hit, two-run game, while Jake Hjelle and Federico Celli each drove in a run, to give the Mid East Falcons a 3-2 victory over the Arabia Wolves at Baseball United Ballpark on Sunday.

Left-handed starter Shotaro Kasahara worked for 3.0 IP, allowing only one hit, with three walks and one strikeout. Yunis Halim, who earned the victory, pitched two scoreless innings, with one walk.

Stephen Mufareh (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER), Yudai Mizuchina (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO), Shotaro Nakata (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 SO) and Yokohama Baystars prospect Haru Shoshioka, who earned the save (1.0 IP, 1 SO), completed the pitching line for Mid East.

As for the offense, Alejandro de Aza went 2-for-3 with one run scored and Federico Celli went 1-for-4 with one RBI. Celli reached nine RBIs in the last two games.

With this result, the Mid East Falcons finished the season tied 6-3 with the Mumbai Cobras in the final standings. Both will dispute the United Series starting on Dec. 12.

Other highlights:

Michael Robles went 1-for-3 with a triple and one RBI, as the standout performer in the Wolves’ offense.

Angelo Cabral took the loss, after 4.0 IP, where he allowed four hits, two earned runs, gave up one walk and struck out three.

Arabia allowed a total of 20 runs in this regular season final series, with only nine runs scored.

With this result, the Wolves ended with a 4-5 record.