Botafogo have announced that they are suing Lyon for R$745million [€125m].
The Brazilian side are led by John Textor, who was previously the president of Lyon and chair of Eagle Holdings before he was forced out earlier this year.
Botafogo claim that through Eagle Holdings Lyon were paid the aforementioned sum in the form of loans, and they’re now demanding it back.
In a statement, they wrote: “Botafogo Sues Olympique Lyonnais and Demands Debt Exceeding R$745 Million [Brazilian Rand].
“Botafogo filed legal actions against Olympique Lyonnais last Friday (3) in court, due to debts surpassing R$ 745 million.
“The goal is to secure the return of the owed amounts, which are essential for strengthening the Alvinegro sports project, and to safeguard the Club’s assets.
“As is publicly known since the incorporation of the SAF in 2022, Botafogo became part of the Eagle Group, a multi-club network led by John Textor.
“As a competitive strategy, all clubs in the group adopted a collaborative model for financial and athlete management.
“This model contributed to Botafogo’s historic achievements, such as the 2024 CONMEBOL Libertadores and Brazilian Championship.
“For Olympique Lyonnais, this collaboration also had a historic impact in the first year under John Textor’s leadership, pulling the club out of the relegation zone and imminent drop, and qualifying it for the Europa League in just one transfer window.”
They continued: “Eagle Football acquired Olympique Lyonnais in a state of insolvency at the end of 2022, with all banks demanding debt repayment and under the threat of heavy sanctions from the DNCG on the first day of Eagle’s control.
“In this context, Botafogo made successive financial contributions totaling more than R$ 745 million in the form of loans, with the clear expectation of repayment under previously established terms.
“Subsequently, amid internal conflicts among Eagle Group partners, the new president of Olympique Lyonnais unilaterally broke the collaboration agreement.
“Despite benefiting from the received funds, the French club failed to meet its assumed obligations, refusing to make the debt payment of R$ 745 million to Botafogo and another €12 million to RWDM Brussels.
“The default directly impacted Botafogo’s operations, undermining financial planning and affecting the ability to renew and sign athletes. As a result, the Club was even subject to a FIFA transfer ban at the end of 2025.
“From now on, Botafogo is taking this step irreversibly: The SAF will pursue all appropriate legal measures to fully recover the amounts owed by Olympique Lyonnais and ensure the continuity and solidity of its sports project.”
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