Olympique Lyon Set to Withdraw from Europa League Amid Financial Crisis
Olympique Lyonnais have made the extraordinary decision to withdraw from the UEFA Europa League for the upcoming 2025/26 season, should their relegation to Ligue 2 be officially confirmed.
The club’s voluntary step away from European competition comes despite UEFA previously granting them clearance to participate in continental tournaments this season.
UEFA has also decided to delay its ruling on the ongoing multi-club ownership investigation involving both Lyon and Crystal Palace. The French club's ownership structure has come under scrutiny, though that issue remains unresolved for now.
The seven-time French champions were demoted from Ligue 1 following a ruling by the French Football Federation due to what has been described as a severe financial crisis. The decision shocked the footballing world and cast doubt over Lyon’s future both domestically and in Europe.
By stepping back from European commitments, Lyon appear to be focusing entirely on stabilizing their finances and restructuring at the domestic level. UEFA is expected to reallocate their Europa League slot to another Ligue 1 club once Lyon's withdrawal is formalized.
