The date of the hearing of Michele Kang, new President of Olympique Lyonnais, and Michael Gerlinger, General Manager, before the FFF’s High Appeal Board was put forward on Wednesday, according to France Info. Initially scheduled for Thursday, this amendment suggests that the Lyon management has actively sought to accelerate the process in order to calm the tensions surrounding this case. The stakes are considerable: OL must convince the commission of its ability to meet the financial commitments necessary to stay in League 1. The deadline is imminent, with less than 24 hours before the official presentation to the DNCG on 9 July.

Olympique Lyonnais, demoted by the DNCG on 24 June, needs to prove its financial viability. To do this, it must justify a 100 million euro injection into an account dedicated to the club, as well as a guarantee of financing for the current season. Ares, the investment fund that had lent 400 million euros for the acquisition of OL, plays a key role in this process. The future of OL depends on the willingness of shareholders and creditors to participate in an increase in capital, allowing Ares to recover part of its investment and stabilize the financial situation of the club.

This complex situation is taking place behind the scenes, away from the fields where players have recently found the ground. The various actors – OL management, shareholders, creditors and Ares – are engaged in a subtle negotiation, a sort of “poker liar” where everyone seeks the best possible agreement. The stakes are great: the club’s survival in Ligue 1 and the preservation of its legacy. The decision of the FFF Appeal Board will determine the future of the seven-fold French champions.