French football's financial watchdog highlights massive losses for Lyon and Marseille
French football's financial watchdog, the DNCG, has published its report on the accounts of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs for the 2024-25 season, revealing colossal losses for two of the country's biggest institutions. Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille recorded the most significant deficits, with their financial situations described as the worst among the elite.
According to the DNCG's findings, Lyon's operating loss before player trading stood at a staggering 205.68 million euros. Marseille's equivalent figure was 125.969 million euros. When the results from player transfers are included, the net negative position deepens significantly. Lyon's total net deficit reached 208.568 million euros, while Marseille's stood at 104.788 million euros.
The scale of these losses places both historic clubs under intense scrutiny from the governing body, which is tasked with ensuring the financial health of French professional football. The DNCG has the authority to impose sanctions, which can range from transfer restrictions and squad limits to, in extreme cases, administrative relegation. The report underscores a period of severe financial strain for clubs that have traditionally been among the division's highest spenders in pursuit of Champions League qualification and domestic success.
For Lyon, the figures represent a continued struggle following their failure to qualify for European football in recent seasons, impacting crucial revenue streams. The club, now under the ownership of John Textor's Eagle Football, has invested heavily in its squad and infrastructure in an attempt to return to the top of French football, but the latest accounts suggest that strategy has come at a tremendous cost.
Marseille's substantial losses occur despite regular participation in European competitions, including the Champions League. The club, under the ownership of Frank McCourt, has also pursued an ambitious recruitment policy. The financial results indicate that player spending and wages have vastly outstripped the club's commercial and matchday income, a common issue in modern football but one amplified in the French league, which operates under stricter financial controls than some of its European rivals.
The DNCG's report acts as a stark warning to the entire league, highlighting the precarious balance between sporting ambition and financial sustainability. Other clubs in Ligue 1 have also voiced concerns, with seven recently calling for a "necessary and urgent" reform of professional football structures in France. The spotlight, however, remains firmly on Lyon and Marseille as they await the DNCG's final assessment and potential disciplinary measures, which will shape their operational capabilities in the upcoming transfer windows.
