Olympique Lyonnais Ordered to Pay Over 20 Million Euros to Botafogo
The Brazilian justice system has ordered Olympique Lyonnais to pay 20.8 million euros for unpaid debts to the Botafogo club owned by American businessman John Textor, the former owner of OL, according to a club official in Rio and court documents reviewed by AFP on Wednesday.
On April 4, Botafogo confirmed filing a lawsuit against Lyon to recover unpaid debts totaling over 125 million euros. According to an anonymous Botafogo official, a judge issued an initial ruling in favor of the Brazilian club for 122 million reais (20.8 million euros).
OL has three days to appeal
Lyon “can ask” to make an initial payment of 30% of the amount and settle the rest in “six monthly installments”, according to a court document. The French club has a three-day deadline to appeal, starting from the notification of the decision sent by the Brazilian justice system on Tuesday. According to Botafogo, the amounts claimed correspond to loans granted to Lyon when both clubs were under the control of John Textor, within the structure of Eagle Football Holdings Bidco.
Meanwhile, Botafogo, facing financial difficulties, stated in a press release on Wednesday that they have requested the opening of a legal reorganization procedure for their “financial restructuring”, including the “temporary suspension of voting rights” of Eagle as the “majority shareholder”, accusing them of “hindering the entry of new capital into the club.”
John Textor was replaced as the head of OL in June 2025 by American businesswoman Michele Kang. Furthermore, he was removed from all operational roles within Eagle Bidco at the end of January.
