February 24 – Lyon co-owner John Textor has publicly criticised PSG’s ownership structure, labeling it as ‘illegal’.
Textor, in an interview with Spanish sports outlet Diario AS, said: “PSG’s financing model is illegal, while our model is entirely legal, yet we are the ones being penalised. They are permitted to continue violating European law.
“Qatar Sports Investments, backed by the state, injects hundreds of millions of dollars annually, enabling them to outcompete everyone.”
In November, Lyon were provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 by the DNCG, the body overseeing French club finances. The club were also slapped with a transfer ban.
Textor expressed his disapproval of the DNCG’s decision, saying that the club plans to appeal the ‘unfounded’ ruling.
Textor, who serves as the chairman of Eagle Football Holdings, acquired a majority stake in Lyon in 2022. Since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) bought a 70% stake in PSG in 2011, the club has secured 10 Ligue 1 titles and become the dominant force in the French game, both on and off the pitch.
“They lead the league, their revenues have skyrocketed, and they dominate the competition. This has distorted the competitive landscape. I didn’t introduce these laws to Europe; they were already in place. If the DNCG expects me to adhere to French or European processes, I expect them to enforce those same laws consistently and not allow one club to flout the rules while others comply,” said Textor.
On Sunday, Lyon were defeated by the Parisians 3-2 in Ligue 1. Textor donned a cowboy hat after PSG boss Nasser Al Khelaifi had called the American a cowboy.
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