But no forced relegation: Olympique Lyon remains in the top division

(dpa) The forced relegation of France's former serial champions Olympique Lyon to the second division has been overturned. "We are staying in Ligue 1," the club wrote in a post on the X platform. The club welcomed the decision made today by the French football financial regulator DNCG (Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion) "to keep the club in Ligue 1."

Previously, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced in a statement that Olympique Lyonnais' administrative demotion to Ligue 2 would be reversed. The club, with owner John Textor, had appealed the DNCG's decision of June 24 and was now upheld by the appeal committee.

However, the seven-time French champions are subject to certain conditions. The football finance authority limits transfer spending and salaries. Lyon qualified for the European Cup in sixth place.

Lyon's forced relegation had already been suspended in November of last year. At the time, the club's debts amounted to around 500 million euros.

If Olympique Lyonnais had been relegated, Stade Reims would have benefited. The team lost to FC Metz in the relegation play-off.