Ernest Nuamah faces second-tier football after Lyon relegated to Ligue 2

Ghanaian winger Ernest Nuamah could be playing in France’s second tier next season after his club, seven-time Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais, were officially relegated to Ligue 2 following a financial ruling.

The Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG) – French football’s financial watchdog – upheld its provisional decision to demote Lyon after the club failed to convince regulators at a hearing on Tuesday, 24 June.

The club, which had been under scrutiny since November 2024, described the ruling as “incomprehensible” and confirmed plans to appeal.

Financial crisis at Lyon

Lyon’s troubles stem from mounting debts under American owner John Textor, whose Eagle Football Group holds a 77% stake in the club.

Last October, the group reported debts of £422m, forcing drastic cost-cutting measures.

Key players, including former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and long-serving goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, have been released.

Midfielders Rayan Cherki and Maxence Caqueret were sold to Manchester City and Como, respectively.

Despite these cuts, Lyon insists they are financially stable, citing an €83m cash injection from shareholders and the recent sale of Textor’s 43% stake in Crystal Palace for £190m to NFL’s New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.

What happens next?

Lyon had secured a Europa League spot after finishing sixth in Ligue 1, but if their appeal fails, Reims will take their place in the top flight.

For Nuamah, who joined Lyon last summer, this could mean an unexpected season in Ligue 2 – unless a transfer materialises.

Textor’s football empire under strain

Textor, who took over from legendary Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas in December 2022, also owns stakes in Brazil’s Botafogo and Belgium’s Molenbeek.

However, Lyon’s relegation marks a dramatic fall for a club that dominated French football in the 2000s.