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French club Lyon will be demoted to Ligue 2 at the end of the season if they do not improve their finances, and will be banned from signing players in January.
Lyon owner John Textor is also co-owner of Premier League club Crystal Palace, and the largest shareholder of Brazilian club Botafogo.
His Eagle Football Group recently announced debts of £422 million.
The DNGC, the body which oversees the accounts of French professional football clubs, made the ruling on Friday.
Lyon will also have their payroll supervised by the DNGC.
Seven-time French champions Lyon are likely to have to sell several key players in January to get their accounts in order and maintain their top-flight status.
American Textor could reportedly help manage the debt by selling his stake in Palace, or selling Botafogo players.
Lyon are fifth in Ligue 1 and ninth in the Europa League.
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