Lyon ultras call for John Textor to leave the club

In the wake of the confirmation of Olympique Lyonnais’ relegation to Ligue 2, the club’s main ultras group, the Bad Gones, have called on owner John Textor to leave the club. 

Textor’s stock among the Lyon fans has taken a big hit in recent times. He had endeared himself to them through his open war with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, however, the club’s spiralling financial issues saw them turn on the American. 

Their dissatisfaction was audible during Lyon’s match against AS Monaco on the penultimate day of the season as they booed Textor as he walked in front of them, before deploying an unsavoury banner that made a crude play on words involving Eagle Football’s floating on the stock exchange and Al-Khelaifi’s testicles.

However, Textor’s popularity is now at rock bottom after the DNCG confirmed Les Gones’ relegation to Ligue 2 following Tuesday’s meeting. The club will appeal. However, for OL’s largest ultras group, the Bad Gones, there is no coming back for Textor. 

In a letter and X post addressed to the owner, the Bad Gones said, “The end of the season was difficult for the club but also for our relationship. We think that we struggle to understand each other, to understand where the club is going, what your vision of it is, and we think that you, like us, have created a common distrust.”

It continued: “John has never been and never will be the man for the situation. This Botafogo supporter should now leave the Lyon landscape. We call on the numerous creditors to take back control and give the keys back to someone who will be able to respect the institution.”

The Bad Gones concluded by saying “Textor out”. On Wednesday morning, banners with that slogan have appeared across the city.