Michelle Kang takes over as president of Lyon

(RNS, 01-07-25) American businesswoman Michele Kang has taken over as president of seven-time French champion Lyon after John Textor resigned following the club’s relegation over financial irregularities.

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The South Korea-born Kang is also majority owner of the Lyon’s women’s team — OL Lyonnes — and has been on Lyon's board of directors since 2023. Lyon said in a statement that Kang will play an “active role” in leading the club’s appeal against the relegation handed down last Tuesday by the French league’s soccer watchdog, known as DNCG. The case is expected to be heard within the next week.

That ruling could also decide whether Crystal Palace will be allowed to play in next season’s Europa League, which Lyon also qualified for. Textor also held a 43 per cent stake in Palace — which he has agreed to sell to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson — and UEFA has rules against clubs with the same owner playing the same competition. Lyon added that Textor has also resigned from the board of directors. He became Lyon president three years ago, taking over from longstanding incumbent Jean-Michel Aulas, who sold to Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings.