Olympique Lyonnais starts the 2025-2026 season of Ligue 1 on Saturday 16 August in Lens, opening the championship. The event will take place in a Bollaer-Delelis stadium expected at closed windows, with more than 38,000 spectators, including nearly 1,000 Lyon fans ready to encourage the Paulo Fonseca team. The arrival of Lyon players will however be subject to strict restrictions on movement, movement and access to the stadium, decided by the Préfet du Pas-de-Calais. These measures are linked to a historic and exacerbated rivalry between the ultras of the two clubs, dating back to 2002, as well as a friendship between the ultras of Stéphanois and Lensois, which contributes to antagonism with the Lyon fans.

In parallel to this preparation for the start of the season, Olympique Lyonnais must secure the transfer of DomiNik Greif, goaltender of Majoarque. An agreement has been reached between the two clubs, but the player has not yet joined Lyon for his medical examination, raising concerns. According to Spanish sources, Majoarque requires financial guarantees for the four million euros agreed, due to Lyons’ less reliable reputation for payment since the change of ownership.

The situation of DomiNik Greif illustrates the financial challenges facing Olympique Lyonnais. The player patiently awaits the green light of the management of his current club, pending confirmation of transfers. This raises questions about OL’s ability to attract and retain talent, and highlights the need to restore its reputation as a solvent club to other teams and players.