US-owned Lyon avoids Europa League DQ by meeting UEFA finance targets

Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette reacts after missing a chance to score a goal against Fenerbahce during the Europa League opening phase soccer match at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.

Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette reacts after missing a chance to score a goal against Fenerbahce during the Europa League opening phase soccer match at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)


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NYON, Switzerland — UEFA has let Lyon play on in the Europa League after the U.S.-owned French club met a deadline to show its finances were healthy enough to finish the season. UEFA says Lyon's financial statements in December "failed to comply with the core underlying principle of going concern." Lyon reported debts of more than $500 million last year. It's been threatened with relegation to the French second tier by the national soccer watchdog. The club owned by American businessman John Textor faced Europa League disqualification unless it met a Jan. 30 deadline set by UEFA. Lyon is in the round of 16.

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