Barcola (left) was the key factor in Lyon's dramatic rescue - Photo: REUTERS
On June 27, DNCG - the specialized financial control agency of French football - announced that Lyon was forced to be relegated due to serious financial imbalance.
According to the records, the team is currently in debt of more than 170 million euros, along with the risk of not being able to guarantee the salary fund and liquidity for the 2025-2026 season. The penalty has caused Lyon to face a double shock: losing their place in Ligue 1 and participating in the Europa League, even though they just finished in 6th place last season.
It seemed like all doors were closed, but a seemingly small detail changed the whole situation. PSG unexpectedly paid the entire transfer fee in advance for Bradley Barcola - the player they recruited from Lyon last summer.
According to the original agreement, PSG would pay the transfer fee of 45 million euros in installments, spread over 5 years. But when Lyon fell into crisis, PSG proactively paid the entire amount of up to 45 million euros, including additional fees.
This amount of money helps Lyon immediately improve cash flow, and can demonstrate to DNCG its ability to pay salaries, maintain operations and control short-term debt.
This is considered a decisive factor in the appeal that Lyon submitted at the end of June. On July 9, after additional review, DNCG announced the reversal of the penalty, allowing Lyon to stay in Ligue 1 next season.
However, the club will still be subject to special financial supervision, including transfer restrictions, salary caps and regular reporting obligations.
Many experts believe that PSG's move is aimed at the common goal of Ligue 1. Losing a team with rich tradition and strength like Lyon will make French football increasingly lose its appeal.
An easy example is that this season, PSG's Parc des Princes stadium welcomed the highest number of spectators for the match against Lyon. The number of spectators attending this match was 47,926, higher than when PSG hosted Liverpool and Arsenal in the Champions League.
That's why financial aid has a precedent in top-flight football, and especially often happens between rival teams.
In 2003, Bayern Munich supported Dortmund with 2 million euros so that they could pay players' salaries on time and avoid bankruptcy.
Furthermore, Liverpool often supported Everton financially in the 1950s-1990s, helping the Goodison Park team overcome each difficult period.
HUY DANG
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lyon-thoat-rot-hang-mot-cach-ngoan-muc-nho-psg-nghia-hiep-20250710181219635.htm
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