The Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNCG, the organisation responsible for overseeing the finances of French football clubs) relegated Lyon to the second tier on June 24, with the club confirming later that day that they would appeal the decision, describing it in a statement as “incomprehensible.”

John Textor retains his shareholding in Palace and also is owner of Lyon, which runs against UEFA's multi-club rules. "We're devastated," Parish told Sky Sports. "It's a bad day for football. It's a terrible injustice. I do believe nobody want to see this. I don't think Uefa wants to see this.