Lyon: French side win appeal to stay in Ligue 1 as Crystal Palace wait on Europa League fate

Lyon will play in Ligue 1 next season after the French side won their appeal against relegation.

French football authorities demoted the seven-time champions into Ligue 2 last month because of their poor financial state.

But that decision has now been overturned, and could affect Crystal Palace's chances of playing in the Europa League next season as Lyon have also qualified for the competition.

Uefa could rule on Palace's situation by the end of the week.

A Lyon statement said: "Olympique Lyonnais welcomes the decision to keep the club in Ligue 1. OL thanks the appeal committee for having recognised the ambition of the club's new management, determined to ensure serious management in the future.

"Today's decision is the first step in restoring confidence in Olympique Lyonnais. We can now focus our attention on sporting goals, fully preparing for next season."

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