Football. This debt of 125 million euros, unilateral breach… why John Textor sues Lyon.

The Brazilian club Botafogo, owned by John Textor, confirmed on Saturday that they have filed a complaint against Lyon, the former French club of the American businessman, in order to recover unpaid debts amounting to 125 million euros. “Botafogo filed a lawsuit on Friday against Olympique Lyonnais, due to debts that exceed 745 million Brazilian reais,” which is 125 million euros, the Brazilian club stated in a press release. However, they did not specify which court they had taken the matter to.

According to Botafogo, this complaint relates to several loans granted to OL when John Textor was at the helm of both clubs, as well as money movements related to ghost transfers.

Textor removed from OL by shareholders

Replaced in June 2025 at the helm of OL by American businesswoman Michele Kang, Textor was removed in late January from all operational positions within Eagle Bidco, the majority shareholder of OL, the Brazilian club, and the Belgian club Molenbeek, after attempting to regain control of Olympique Lyonnais. “Eagle Football acquired Olympique Lyonnais in a situation of bankruptcy at the end of 2022,” the carioca club stated, “and under the threat of financial sanctions from the National Directorate of Financial Control (DNCG),” the entity that verifies the financial management of French clubs. OL is currently competing for European positions in Ligue 1, currently ranking 4th in the championship.

Botafogo, which explains that they made “financial contributions in the form of loans, with a clear prospect of repayment,” denounces Michele Kang’s “unilateral” breach of the collaboration agreement between the two clubs. Champion of Brazil and winner of the Copa Libertadores in 2024, Botafogo is now facing serious financial difficulties.

Temporarily banned from recruiting by FIFA due to a debt related to the transfer of Argentine international Thiago Almada – a sanction lifted last February – the club was also prohibited by the Brazilian justice system at the end of January from selling players.

Eagle Football has also been plunged into crisis due to the debts of OL, which nearly led the club to face administrative relegation last season. Textor lost operational control of OL in June 2025 in favor of Ares, the fund that had lent him 425 million euros to buy the club in 2022. He was relieved of his directorial duties at Eagle Football at the end of January but remains in charge of Botafogo until further notice.