The mudslinging between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyon continues. Lyon's club owner, John Textor, lashed out at the Parisian club's management earlier this week, and now they are striking back.
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Textor made clear his opinion of PSG. According to him, it is impossible for Lyon to become the champion of France.
"We have to compete with a country, Qatar. It is a project with unlimited spending. In 2024, a big club like Lyon can only aim for second place," Textor stated. "We want to give PSG a kick in the backside. Hopefully, they have a bad year. But all they need to do is cough up some oil money."
Textor's comments have sparked significant controversy and discussion within the football community. His blunt assessment highlights the growing concerns about financial disparity in football, where clubs backed by wealthy owners or entire nations, such as Qatar, can outspend traditional clubs, creating an uneven playing field.
PSG took note of Textor's comments and has now struck back, as revealed in a letter obtained by French media. "Such unworthy remarks are particularly surprising, especially coming from the president of a French club who only recently became an owner (Textor took over Lyon in 2022)," PSG responded, pointing out the irony of his statements given his recent acquisition of Lyon.
"You claim that PSG has unlimited spending power, while your own club has had financial problems. PSG was also asked behind the scenes to pay advances for the transfer of Bradley Barcola to help your club get through its own transfer window. This reveals a lack of financial stability within Lyon, undermining the criticism directed at PSG's financial model," the letter continued.
Moreover, PSG emphasized that their financial structure is not solely dependent on Qatari investments. "A significant portion of our club is owned by the American investor Arctos. Less than twenty percent of our commercial revenue comes from Qatari companies." This clarification was aimed at debunking the myth that PSG's success is entirely due to Qatari funding and to highlight the diversified nature of their revenue streams.
PSG concluded the letter on a positive note, extending an olive branch despite the harsh exchange. "We hope for everyone who loves French football that it will be a successful year, including for Lyon." This statement reflects PSG's broader vision of promoting the success and competitiveness of French football as a whole, rather than engaging in a prolonged feud with a fellow French club.
The exchange between Textor and PSG underscores the tensions and challenges within modern football, particularly concerning financial fair play and competitive balance. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on both Lyon and PSG to see how these off-field controversies impact their on-field performances and their standing in the highly competitive Ligue 1.
Updated: 09:01, 20 Jul 2024
