The president of Olympique Lyon, Jean-Michel Aulas, announced two legal actions following the decision to definitively stop Ligue 1 due to the new coronavirus pandemic. In the final classification of the tournament formalized last week, Lyon finished seventh and will potentially be excluded from European competitions next season.
"We doubted a lot whether to do it. The OL Groupe Board of Directors made the decision this morning (Thursday) to file two appeals," he told the television channel L'Équipe.
The first appeal requests a return to activity. "We can examine in detail with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health the health protocol validated by all European countries and see if there is a possibility to return," said the Lyon president. "The second appeal concerns the stoppage modalities of the championship and the calculation method of the standings [after the 28th round]," he added.
Football has been suspended in France since mid-March. Lyon still has the League Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain to play, which was postponed and it is uncertain if it will be played. If they win that match, Lyon would secure a spot in the Europa League.
They are also in the round of 16 of the Champions League, where they played and won the first leg against Juventus, but have not been able to play the second leg yet. The top European tournament hopes to resume and Lyon would secure a spot in the next Champions League if they are crowned champions. AFP