Brazilian justice orders OL to pay over 20 million euros to Botafogo due to unpaid debts of former club owner John Textor.
Brazilian justice has ordered Olympique Lyonnais to pay 20.8 million euros for unpaid debts to Botafogo’s club owned by American businessman John Textor, former owner of OL, according to a club official from Rio and judicial documents consulted by AFP on Wednesday.
On April 4, Botafogo confirmed they had filed a complaint against Lyon to recover unpaid debts amounting to over 125 million euros. According to a Botafogo official who requested anonymity, a judge ruled in favor of the Brazilian club for 122 million Brazilian reais (20.8 million euros).
OL has three days to appeal
Lyon “can request” to make an initial payment of 30% of the amount and settle the rest in “six monthly installments,” according to a judicial document. The French club has three days to appeal, starting from the notification of the decision sent by Brazilian justice 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 Eagle Football Holdings Bidco structure.
Meanwhile, Botafogo, facing financial difficulties, stated on Wednesday in a press release that they had requested a judicial reorganization procedure for their “financial restructuring,” including the “temporary suspension of voting rights” of Eagle as the “major shareholder,” accusing them of “hindering the entry of new capital into the club.”
John Textor was replaced in June 2025 at the helm of OL by American businesswoman Michele Kang. Textor was also removed from all operational functions within Eagle Bidco at the end of January.
