French club Lyon risks relegation to second tier if finances are not rectified

PARIS (AP) — Seven-time French champion Lyon risks relegation to the second tier at the end of the season and has been hit with a transfer ban because of financial irregularities.

The decision to provisionally relegate Lyon to Ligue 2 followed an audit of the club's finances by the French league's soccer watchdog, known as DNCG.

The DNCG decided that Lyon's financial situation must improve by the end of the season, and no signings can be made in the January transfer window. The DNCG will also oversee the players' salaries.

Lyon is owned by American businessman John Textor, who also has stakes in Premier League team Crystal Palace and Brazil’s Botafogo.

Textor had sounded confident after presenting the club’s case to the DNCG on Friday afternoon, reportedly saying that “the meeting went well” and “I am confident in our figures.”

Fifth-place Lyon reported earlier this month that it has a financial debt of 505 million euros ($532.6 million), and it means the former Champions League semifinalist may have to sell some of its best players, such as 21-year-old midfielder Rayan Cherki, in January.

High earners, such as club stalwarts Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso, may also have to leave.

The DNCG ruled in July last year that Lyon did not provide sufficient financial guarantees, and Textor hit back at the DNCG's decision to monitor the club’s transfer activities last season.

Lyon's situation echoes what happened to Bordeaux, another storied club. The six-time French champion is now languishing in the fourth tier of French soccer.

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Fans of Lyon celebrate victory after the French League One soccer match between Lyon and Saint-Etienne at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Lyon's Georges Mikautadze reacts during the French League One soccer match between Lyon and Saint-Etienne at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Lyon's Rayan Cherki during the French League One soccer match between Lyon and Saint-Etienne at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Lyon's Nicolas Tagliafico during the French League One soccer match between Lyon and Saint-Etienne at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)